An Israeli court sentenced a Palestinian relief worker on Tuesday to an additional six years in prison on top of the six that he had already served for funneling money to Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
In June, Mohammad El Halabi, director of operations for World Vision in Gaza, was found guilty of belonging to a terrorist group.
“It can be said with certainty that the possible damage of the defendant’s actions was significant with the potential to cause devastating and even fatal damage to the security of the State of Israel and its residents,” said the Beersheva District Court on Tuesday, reported Reuters.
The court sentenced Halabi to 12 years in prison in a full judgment issued on Tuesday, deducting his six years of incarceration so far. His lawyer plans to file an appeal.
The court found that Halabi, 44, misused his position with World Vision by using its funds to finance Hamas weapon purchases and to procure equipment for terrorists. The court also found that Halabi was a member of Hamas.
