Hamas terrorist sentenced to life for murdering three Israeli teens

A Palestinian man has been sentenced to life in prison for killing three Israeli teenagers in June, in an incident widely seen as sparking the 50-day Gaza war this summer.

A court found that Hamas member Hussam Kawasmeh planned the abduction of Eyal Yifrach, 19, and Gilad Shaer and Naftali Fraenkel, both 16, who were killed while hitchhiking in the West Bank.

Kawasmeh was arrested in August and charged with murder.

Two other Hamas operatives suspected of involvement died in a fire-fight with Israeli forces at their West Bank hideout in September.

The boys’ disappearance, and subsequent killing, inflamed public opinion in Israel and led to a horrific revenge attack against a 16-year old Palestinian boy, who was abducted inEast Jerusalem and burned alive.