A Palestinian UN worker accused by Israel of aiding Hamas was sentenced to seven months' jail Wednesday, his lawyer said, in a plea deal which will see him released soon.

Waheed Borsh was convicted of "rendering services to an illegal organisation without intention", his lawyer Lea Tsemel told AFP. With time already served, he is expected to be released on January 12.

The case centred on accusations that rubble in Gaza under the responsibility of the United Nations Development Programme was misused by the militant group Hamas that controls the enclave.