Man Arrested for Fatal Stabbing of Child in Beit Shemesh After Earlier Visit to Family Home

The investigation continues into a shocking stabbing incident in Beit Shemesh earlier this week, where two minors were attacked with a sharp object while playing in a backyard pool. A seven-year-old boy, Hillel Mordechai Dadon, died from his injuries, and a four-year-old child was critically injured and hospitalized. The suspect, a 26-year-old man living nearby, was arrested shortly after the attack and is being questioned by the Jerusalem District Police following a special assessment by district commander Asaf Feld.

Police investigations, conducted under a gag order, revealed that the suspect had visited the vicinity of the victims' home several hours before the attack and briefly spoke with the father of the children. After returning home, he came back hours later, saw the children, and allegedly stabbed them. The suspect's detention has been extended until August 25, 2026, at the police's request.

Deputy Head of the Jerusalem District Investigation Unit, Chief Inspector Guy Avrahami, described the scene as very difficult, emphasizing the ongoing efforts to understand the suspect's motive and the circumstances leading to the attack. Police continue gathering evidence to uncover the full truth and ensure the suspect faces the maximum legal consequences.