Six youths indicted over arson and stone-throwing attack in Deir Dibwan

Israeli prosecutors on Friday filed an indictment with the Jerusalem District Court against six young suspects accused of taking part in a violent rampage in the Palestinian town of Deir Dibwan. The defendants include five minors, aged 14 to 17, from Shamai, Kiryat Arba, Katzrin and Itamar, and 18-year-old Pinchas Greenberg from Beit Shemesh.

According to the indictment, filed by attorney Shiral Eldar of the Jerusalem District Prosecutor’s Office, the attack took place about two weeks ago after a memorial service at Havat Mikhukh for Nachman Mordoff, who was killed in the 2023 shooting attack in Eli. The suspects and several others allegedly arrived in Deir Dibwan masked, with some carrying lighters, gloves, tear gas and a knife, and carried out a series of arson and violence acts as part of what prosecutors say was a conspiracy to commit terror offenses.

The indictment says they set fire to vegetation near the village, burned five vehicles, lit a fire at the entrance to a mosque while people were inside, sprayed flammable material that hit one worshipper, threw stones at homes and vehicles, and ignited a fire near a family home while residents were inside. The acts caused extensive property damage.

The six face charges including riot, arson in circumstances of a terrorist act, malicious damage and assault with racist motives, stone-throwing at vehicles, and one suspect is also charged with unlawful possession of a knife. Prosecutors are asking the court to keep them in custody until the end of the proceedings.