Kamal Khatib, the leader of the Nur Shams Brigade, is now facing an indictment for the murder of IDF Sergeant-Major Yehuda Geto. The Military Advocate-General has charged Khatib with remotely detonating an explosive device. The bomb was planted in anticipation of IDF activity and resulted in Geto being thrown from his military vehicle, which was overturned. The explosion also caused a second soldier to be wounded in the head and chest.
The explosion under Geto's vehicle contained dozens of kilograms of explosive material, according to Israeli media. At the time, the IDF had assessed the area to have no risk of explosives, and so the vehicle was not searched for them.
Additional Charges Against Khatib
Khatib is accused of more than just Geto's death. The indictment lists a pattern of terror activities including managing the Nur Shams Battalion, recruiting operatives, planting explosives, and supplying weapons and funds to terrorists.
These acts earned Khatib charges for murder, attempted murder, bomb planting, and trafficking in military equipment, among others. The Israeli military has described the case as part of a broader campaign of terrorism in the region.
Casualties and Aftermath
In the same incident, a second soldier was wounded. Following the explosion, nearby soldiers were evacuated for medical care. During the operation, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was launched at armed men, but the missile malfunctioned and was later tampered with by suspected terrorists. This tampering led to a second explosion, which claimed the life of a Palestinian woman.