Ismail Haniyeh’s sister appears in Israeli court on incitement charges

Sabah Haniyeh, sister of the late Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh, appeared before an Israeli court in Beir Al-Saba on Thursday on charges related to alleged incitement and identification with Hamas.

Haniyeh, a resident of Tel Al-Saba in southern Israel’s Negev region, faces charges stemming from WhatsApp messages she allegedly sent to relatives following the Hamas-led attack on Israel on 7th October 2023.

According to Israeli authorities, Haniyeh posted a message in a family WhatsApp group on the morning of 7th October stating, “The war has begun.”

Prosecutors also allege that on 10th October she sent another message containing a prayer calling for the destruction of people she described as enemies.

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Israeli authorities arrested Haniyeh following the outbreak of the Gaza war. She was held in custody for approximately one month and subsequently faced allegations of incitement and identification with a terrorist organization. A formal indictment was filed against her in April 2024.

Her detention was extended several times before a Beir Al-Saba court ordered her release to house arrest in Tel Sheva.

Haniyeh’s defence has challenged the strength of the prosecution’s evidence. Her lawyer, Ziad al-Baz, argued that the case against her was influenced by her family relationship with Ismail Haniyeh and maintained that the evidence did not justify the charges.

Al-Baz also asked the court to ease the conditions of her house arrest on health grounds.

According to the report, the defence has also sought to negotiate with prosecutors over a possible plea agreement that could reduce any sentence imposed if Haniyeh is convicted.

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