An Israeli military court has convicted a former soldier of manslaughter in the killing of a British activist who was helping Palestinian children take cover during fighting in the Gaza Strip two years ago.

Ex-soldier Taysir al-Hab was found guilty of shooting Tom Hurndall, 22, a member of the pro-Palestinian International Solidarity Movement. 

Mr. Hurndall was shot in April 2003 with a sniper rifle equipped with a telescopic site.  He was hit while helping Palestinian school children cross a roadway to avoid gunfire during an Israeli military operation in the Palestinian refugee camp at Rafah.  He died in a London hospital nine months later, having never come out of a coma. 

A three-judge panel also convicted the defendant of obstruction of justice and of giving and soliciting false testimony. No sentencing date has been announced.