Zalbani was transferred to an adult prison at 15 years old before being sentenced and fined [GETTY]
A Palestinian child has been sentenced to 18 years in jail after being accused of killing an Israeli soldier in 2023 in the occupied West Bank.
Mohammed Basel Zalbani, 15, was arrested in February 2023 at a checkpoint in the Shu’fat camp over “causing the death of an Israeli soldier” after reportedly being involved in a stabbing.
Zalbani was charged with aggravated murder and was placed in a juvenile detention centre – however, he was moved to Damon Prison after turning 15 two weeks ago.
The Jerusalem District Court also fined Zalbani 300,000 shekels ($83,333) in compensation – the Palestinian Prisoner Society (PPS) said in a statement.
Israeli forces also seized and then demolished his family home – something they regularly do to homes of Palestinians accused of carrying out attacks, in a practice condemned as collective punishment by human rights groups.
Zalbani was reportedly subjected to harsh interrogations and poor conditions in prison. The Damon Prison is also known for its abuse of Palestinian detainees.
At least 1,115 children out of a total of 14,500 Palestinians are currently imprisoned in Israel.
Israel has arrested more Palestinians recently than it has released since the Gaze ceasefire deal came into effect on 19 January.
Over 1,000 Palestinian detainees have been freed since the ceasefire, in exchange for 19 Israeli captives held by Hamas. The PPC said the detainees released on 1 February showed signs of being tortured.
Israeli forces have been conducting a widespread offensive in the occupied West Bank, starting with Jenin and expanding to Tulkarm, Tamum and now Nablus.
Over 900 Palestinians have been killed, and almost 7,000 have been injured in the occupied region since 7 October 2023.
