A 32-year-old man from Umm al-Fahm was charged at Haifa District Court on Sunday for severely beating and abusing his wife and five-year-old daughter.

According to the indictment, the alleged abuse took place over a period of several years. The man allegedly attacked his wife with a hammer and slapped her. He is also suspected of setting fire to his daughter, causing burns to her arms and legs.

The man is charged with aggravated assault, causing serious bodily harm, and assault on a minor.

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According to the indictment, in an incident ten days ago, the man allegedly struck his wife on the head with a hammer while she was sleeping. The woman was hospitalized with severe trauma.

After the attack, the indictment says, the suspect apologized to his wife, and claimed he did not understand why he had attacked her. The suspect then fled the house.

In another incident, following an argument about money, the defendant allegedly hurled an iron at his wife, striking her in the torso and causing her severe injuries.

The indictment also says that in 2005, while he was watching television, the suspect called his daughter to sit by him, after which he allegedly used a cigarette lighter to burn her, causing severe wounds to her arms and legs.

The Haifa District Prosecutor's office asked the court to extend the suspect's remand for the duration of the proceedings against him.