Hostile Witness
"She Forgot to Take Her Pills": Surprising Defense in Hamas Leader's Sister's Trial
The hearing regarding Sabah Abd al-Salam took a turn after she took the witness stand. Family members attributed contradictions in her testimony to her health condition.
Sabah Abd al-Salam, 57, sister of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, was declared a hostile witness during a court hearing after her courtroom testimony contradicted statements she previously gave to police during interrogation, according to a report published today (Wednesday) by i24NEWS correspondent Tal Savag.
Abd al-Salam faces an indictment for maintaining contact with a terrorist organization, incitement and expressing identification with a terrorist organization, as well as activity against the State of Israel. During the hearing, her daughter-in-law claimed that the defendant's personal and medical condition is not stable, that she suffers from various problems, and even forgot to take her prescribed medications.
The indictment also includes a quote from messages the defendant wrote to her brother on the morning of October 7th. According to the allegations, she wrote: "Oh our God, we have brothers. This is a victory for your religion and liberation for our prisoners, and the emergence of your prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. This is the supreme power and abilities. Provide them with what you have and from your strength and from your victory. Oh God, distance from us and from them the power of your enemy and our antagonistic enemy. Oh God, the victory from you is what you promised to your believing servants. Increase the request in your morning for victory from God, and victory is near."
The legal proceedings continue, and a decision will be made based on the evidence presented to the court.