The three teenagers — Naftali Frenkel, Eyal Yifrach, and Gilad Shaer — were kidnapped June 12 and later found dead, triggering a series of events that led to a 50-day war in Gaza, Agence France-Presse reported. Hossam Qawasme, a 41-year-old Palestinian militant, was accused of financing and organizing the kidnapping.
Qawasme's alleged accomplices — Amer Abu Eisha, 32, and Marwan Qawasme, 29 — who the Israeli Army claims carried out the attack, were killed during a firefight with Israeli soldiers in the southern West Bank city of Hebron in late September, according to AFP.
"The accused was convicted of the most serious crimes . . . the cold-blooded and terrible murder of three young people who were going home to their families," court documents stated, according to AFP.
"As a result of his actions, the accused is sentenced to three life terms. He will be removed from society and spend the rest of his life in prison. In addition he will pay compensation of 250,000 shekels to each of the families of the youths," the documents said.
Some 2,200 people died and more than 20,000 homes were destroyed in the 50-day war in Gaza, according to The Independent.
In September, the United Nations Relief and Work Agency reported that more than 300,000 people living in Gaza had to move to shelters in schools, and nearly 500,000 people had been displaced by the conflict.
"During a week when children should have been starting their new school year, they are instead facing prolonged insecurity, fear, and suffering," Pierre Krähenbühl, the United Nations Relief and Work Agency's Commissioner-General, told The Independent in his September appeal for $295 million for Gaza recovery.
"To make matters worse, the extensive destruction caused by the conflict means that many Palestinians will have no home to return to once hostilities have ended. Many will face a harsh winter in emergency shelters," he continued.
