Lod Court Sentences Three Family Members Over Brutal Murder of Aya Abu Hajjaj
The Central District Court in Lod sentenced three family members to heavy prison terms for the 2023 murder of pregnant 26-year-old Aya Abu Hajjaj.
The Central District Court in Lod has handed down heavy prison sentences to three family members involved in the brutal murder of Aya Abu Hajjaj, 26, who was killed in Lod in 2023 in front of her young children while heavily pregnant. The victim's half-brother, who was about 14.5 years old at the time of the murder, and her cousin, who was about 15.5, were convicted of aggravated murder under aggravating circumstances and other offenses, receiving 22 and 17 years in prison, respectively. The victim's father was convicted of aiding and abetting murder and sentenced to 15 years in prison. The court also ordered the defendants to pay the children financial compensation totaling over 300,000 shekels.
Background of the Case
According to the indictment filed by the Central District Attorney's Office, the murder stemmed from Aya's refusal to return to live with her father and his family in the town of Hura. Aya and her sisters supported their mother's stance, leading the two minors to arrive at her home at night wearing masks and armed with a knife, lying in wait. In the morning, as she left with her two children, aged four and five, on their way to kindergarten, her half-brother emerged from a vehicle, rushed at her, and stabbed her about 20 times.
Aya was evacuated to the hospital, but despite the efforts of doctors, she and the fetus she was carrying were pronounced dead. The father was also implicated in a previous incident involving severe violence against her in her courtyard.
Court Ruling and Statements
"This concludes a difficult and painful affair centering on the cruel murder of Aya, of blessed memory, by her family members for no fault of her own — the murder of a young pregnant woman in broad daylight," prosecutors Sharon Meshal and Eliran Ashkenazi stated.
Attorney Likuol Tamsut, representing the victim's family, noted that the family can now focus on the care and rehabilitation of the three orphaned children left behind, who face daily difficulties and immense pain.
