Sentence of Elad axe terrorists postponed due to scabies outbreak in prison

The postponement of the two terrorists' sentencing due to a scabies outbreak in the prison had reportedly occurred back in May as well.

 Suspects for the Elad ax terrorist attack,  20-year-old Tzabahi Abu Shakir (Left) and 19 year-old Assad al-Rafai (Right). (photo credit: Israel Police/Composite image by Jerusalem Post Staff)
Suspects for the Elad ax terrorist attack, 20-year-old Tzabahi Abu Shakir (Left) and 19 year-old Assad al-Rafai (Right).
(photo credit: Israel Police/Composite image by Jerusalem Post Staff)

The Israel Prison Service postponed on Monday the sentencing of two terrorists responsible for a 2022 terror attack in the central city of Elad after a scabies outbreak in their facility impacted them. This follows previous postponements two years after the attack.

The terror attack occurred in 2022 after Jenin residents Assad al-Rafai, 19, and Tzabahi Abu Shakir, 20, who worked in Elad and knew the area, infiltrated the city and killed three residents with an axe.

The postponement of their sentencing due to a scabies outbreak in the prison was initially reported in May. The KAN report added it was not possible to sentence the terrorists under the circumstances as their presence as defendants was required in court.

Despite the ongoing war, the Lod District Court ordered the sentencing to proceed but was forced to delay the case.

 Israeli Security and rescue personnel work at the scene following an incident in Elad, in central Israel, May 5, 2022.  (credit: REUTERS/AMMAR AWAD)
Israeli Security and rescue personnel work at the scene following an incident in Elad, in central Israel, May 5, 2022. (credit: REUTERS/AMMAR AWAD)

The triple murder in Elad

All three victims of the Elad terror attack were men in their 40s. They were named Yonatan Havakkuk, a father of five, Boaz Gol, a father of five, and Oren Ben Yiftah, a father of six from Lod.

Following the murder, the two terrorists evaded capture and were hunted by police for over 48 hours until their arrest.