Eilat Man, 18, Suspected of Raping and Sexually Abusing 13 Minors

Police in Eilat have uncovered a severe and extensive case of sexual offenses against minors, involving an 18-year-old resident suspected of raping and committing other serious sexual offenses against 13 victims, some as young as seven. A statement of charges has been filed against the suspect, with an indictment and request for his detention until the end of legal proceedings expected on Monday. The investigation began with a single complaint of extortion by threats, but expanded significantly as more details emerged over 20 days.

The suspect, who was a minor at the time of the alleged offenses, reportedly befriended younger minors, some of whom knew each other through shared social circles. The investigation suggests the offenses occurred in the suspect's home, the victims' homes, and other meeting places, sometimes during social gatherings without adult supervision. The suspect initially denied the allegations but later confessed to sexual acts with ten minors, and suspicions later arose concerning additional victims, bringing the total to 13.

Authorities also suspect the man sent intimate photos to minors and made sexual propositions. He led investigators to alleged crime scenes, and three reenactments were filmed. Digital evidence from his phone and witness testimonies were also collected. Separately, another man was questioned and confessed to threatening and extorting one of the minors, though he claimed not to possess the explicit video he threatened to use.

Alon Halfon, Commander of the Eilat region, stated that "harm to children and adolescents is among the most severe and difficult offenses, and we are obligated to act with all available means to protect them." He added that police are collaborating with municipal, educational, and welfare officials to enhance child safety and cooperation in preventing and treating sex offenses, emphasizing that child protection is a shared responsibility.