Eilat Man, 18, Charged with Sexually Abusing 13 Minors

Prosecutors in Israel's Southern District intend to indict an 18-year-old Eilat resident on November 2, facing charges of rape and indecent acts against multiple minors. The prosecution also plans to request his remand until the end of legal proceedings. Investigations suggest the suspect committed sexual offenses against 13 children, some as young as seven. The case began on October 9, following a complaint to Eilat police by the mother of a 13-year-old boy. She reported that the suspect had threatened her son with the release of explicit videos if he did not sell his mobile phone at a low price. Her son confessed to sexual abuse by the 18-year-old, with whom he had a friendship, and described other incidents, including being forced into sexual acts with another minor.

Investigators discovered that the suspect, who maintained friendships with children several years younger than himself, allegedly committed some offenses during unsupervised gatherings. The alleged assaults occurred in the suspect's home, the victims' homes, and other common meeting places in Eilat. The suspect was arrested on October 10. Initially denying the allegations, he changed his story during a second interrogation two days later, admitting to sexual offenses against ten minors. The investigation expanded, identifying a total of 13 alleged victims and raising suspicions of the suspect sending explicit photos and making sexual propositions.

Separately, police questioned another teenager suspected of blackmailing one of the minors. This suspect admitted to threats and extortion but claimed he did not possess the explicit video he threatened to release. He was aware of the sexual abuse allegations against the 18-year-old.