Indictment Filed Against Nur a-Shams Battalion Leader Over Killing of Reservist Yehuda Gatto

Military prosecutors on Sunday filed an indictment in the Samaria Military Court against terrorist Kamel Khatib, who over the years served as a member, manager and later head of the Nur a-Shams Battalion terror organization. According to the indictment, Khatib is responsible, among other things, for the deadly attack in July 2024 in which reservist Sgt. Maj. Yehuda Gatto, of blessed memory, was killed. In addition to the central charge, he is also accused of a series of other security offenses connected to his activity in the terror organization.

According to the indictment, on July 1, 2024, Khatib and other operatives detonated an explosive device that had been planted in the ground in advance, with the aim of striking a security forces vehicle. The indictment alleges that the device was detonated remotely using a cellphone, while Khatib was in a room in the Bal'a neighborhood at the time.

As a result of the explosion, the security forces vehicle overturned. Sgt. Maj. Yehuda Gatto was thrown from the vehicle and killed at the scene, while another person suffered injuries to his chest and head and was taken to the hospital for treatment.

Beyond the responsibility attributed to him for the attack, the indictment alleges that Khatib played a central role in the Nur a-Shams Battalion's activities and led a long series of terror operations. Among other allegations, he is accused of managing and directing the organization's operations, recruiting operatives for surveillance and production units, being involved in planting explosive devices, trafficking weapons, and transferring money and military equipment to terrorists.

The indictment charges Khatib with serious offenses, including intentionally causing death in concert, an offense defined as equivalent to murder; attempted intentional causing of death in concert; heading an unlawful association; trafficking military equipment; and planting a bomb.

With the filing of the indictment, the Samaria Military Court ordered the defendant held in custody until the conclusion of the legal proceedings against him. The IDF Spokesperson said that "the military prosecution is accompanying the family of reservist Sgt. Maj. Yehuda Gatto, of blessed memory, remains in continuous contact with them, and provides them with all the rights due to them under the law." It was further stated that "the IDF and the military prosecution share in the family's deep grief."