7-Year-Old Hallel Dadon Fatally Stabbed in Beit Shemesh on Brother’s Birthday

Seven-year-old Hallel Mordechai Dadon was fatally stabbed in Beit Shemesh on Monday afternoon, just one week after another relative died in a car accident. The attack also left his four-year-old cousin seriously injured but stable in hospital. A 25-year-old neighbor was arrested on suspicion of stabbing the children, with police investigating whether a family dispute was the motive.

Hallel’s father, Amos Dadon, described his son as a joyful, hardworking child who excelled in school and loved football. Hallel was due to start second grade in two weeks and had dreams of becoming a good player. Amos recalled how Hallel was still conscious after the stabbing and spoke briefly with the father of the boy whose home he was at when the attack occurred. Despite efforts to stop the bleeding, Hallel succumbed to his wounds.

A family member expressed deep grief, saying Hallel was meant to be celebrating with a new school bag and friends, lamenting the cruelty of the world for harming such a pure child. The stabbing happened near a pool where the children had been playing, witnessed by a 15-year-old relative who was caring for them. Emergency responders arrived to find Hallel unconscious and without pulse, performing resuscitation before transporting him to the hospital.

Beit Shemesh Mayor Shmuel Greenberg condemned the tragic events, noting the city had suffered two painful losses of children within hours. Social and psychological support teams are assisting the affected families. Police have launched a full investigation, with the case now handled by the Jerusalem district unit. The father of the suspect was also questioned at the scene.

The stabbing was reported to emergency services at 16:40 local time. Authorities continue to examine all angles of the incident as the community mourns the loss of a young life and supports the injured child.