The IDF said on Saturday night that dozens of Jews and Palestinians were injured in altercations in the West Bank following the murder of 14-year-old shepherd, Binyamin Achimair.
After a 24-hour search for the missing boy from Malachei Hashalom, near Shilo, Achimair’s body was discovered in the same region where he went missing, Israeli media reported on Saturday.
“The abominable murder of the boy Binyamin Achimair is a serious crime. I send my heartfelt condolences to his family,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said. “IDF and Shin Bet forces are in extensive pursuit of the despicable murderers and all those who cooperated with them.”
“We will get to the murderers and their helpers as we do to anyone who harms the citizens of the State of Israel,” Netanyahu added.
He ordered the IDF, Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), and the Israel Police to carry out intense operational and intelligence activities in the Palestinian towns in the area of the disappearance.
He also asked all Israeli citizens to help security services do their work without hindrance.
The subsequent violence between Jewish settlers and Palestinians has been the heaviest since February 2023 when dozens of extremist Jews burned large swaths of Palestinian property in Huwara in the West Bank, after a deadly shooting attack on an Israeli vehicle. The revenge attacks killed at least one Palestinian and injured more.
The IDF said it had significantly beefed up its forces in the area to maintain order, but this did not prevent multiple attempts by Jewish settler extremists to take revenge on nearby Palestinians villages, though they had no specific information about who might have committed the murder.
After February 2023, the IDF apologized for failing to react fast enough to protect Palestinians and said it would beef up forces to be ready for future potential incidents like Saturday’s.
One area attacked on Saturday was Duma, south of Nablus. A mix of Israeli, Arab, and US media reported that Jewish extremists also attacked over Friday and Saturday al-Mughayyir, Deir Dibwan, and Beitin, east of Ramallah and the town of Sinjil, northeast of Ramallah.
Violence from both sides
There were also reports of Palestinian counterattacks.
It was unclear which reports involved live fire and which rock-throwing, and how much violence was committed by each side.
Reports did say that dozens of Palestinian cars or structures were ignited by Jews, with some reports of Palestinian deaths.
By Shin Bet statistics, most extremist Jews, though not all, come from a specific list of West Bank settlements or outposts.
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant issued a statement, saying, “The security system will find the murderer and bring him to justice.” He emphasized the need for order and trust in Israel’s security system and soldiers, noting that “retaliatory actions will make it harder for our soldiers in their mission – we must not take the law into our own hands.”
President Isaac Herzog posted on the social media platform X: “Our hearts ache for the murder of Binyamin Achimair, only 14 years old, whose life was cut short. At this difficult time, I offer condolences to his family and loved ones.” Herzog added that he seeks to strengthen the security forces, “working resolutely to defend the citizens of Israel, especially in these tense days and very complex conditions.”
He continued in his post: “Although our hearts ache, and despite the pain and anger, no one should break the law and act violently. The IDF, Shin Bet, and Israel police investigating the incident will reach the despicable murderers soon, as they have done time and time again.”