Two Brothers Charged with Attempted Murder After Stabbing 14-Year-Old in Israeli Soccer Field

The Israeli State Prosecutor's Office has filed charges against two brothers, aged 15 and 16, for the stabbing and assault of a 14-year-old boy in the village of Yafia. The attack left the victim paralyzed on his left side after being stabbed in the neck and back, with one brother accused of attempted murder. According to the indictment submitted to the Nazareth Juvenile District Court by attorney Ragad Shdafna from the Northern District Prosecutor's Office, the incident followed a water-splashing argument between the victim and one of the accused, which had seemingly been resolved with a handshake days earlier.

Despite the reconciliation, the brothers returned to the soccer field armed with a knife, pepper spray, and brass knuckles. One brother struck the victim in the head with brass knuckles while the other sprayed pepper spray at him and others trying to intervene. While the victim lay on the ground, he was stabbed three times with intent to kill. The assailants fled and hid for about two weeks before surrendering to police.

The victim suffered severe injuries, was sedated and ventilated for several days, and is now undergoing rehabilitation in a wheelchair with paralysis on his left side. The brothers face charges including aggravated assault, obstruction of justice, and illegal possession of weapons, with one also charged with attempted murder and threats.

Shirin Abd Almalek, a youth officer at the Nazareth police station, described the case as serious and expressed doubt that the victim will return to a normal life. She noted that all three youths are neighbors and that police arrested the parents multiple times during the search for the brothers. The accused remain in custody and are expected to stand trial for their actions.