IDF mulls charges against 2 soldiers over death of elderly Palestinian-American man

Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent

Omar As'ad, a Palestinian-American who died after being violently detained by IDF troops in the West Bank on January 12, 2022. (Courtesy)
Omar As'ad, a Palestinian-American who died after being violently detained by IDF troops in the West Bank on January 12, 2022. (Courtesy)

The Israel Defense Forces summons an officer and soldier for a hearing over the death of Palestinian-American Omar As’ad earlier this year, ahead of a potential indictment against the pair.

In the incident on January 12, soldiers of the Netzah Yehuda battalion detained and bound 78-year-old As’ad’s hands with zip ties, and moved him to a courtyard of an abandoned building in the near-freezing January night, leaving him there without checking on his condition.

The IDF says “irregularities in their conduct” were uncovered as part of the investigation, and therefore indictments are being considered against the pair.

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