Seven-Year-Old Killed and Cousin Critically Injured in Stabbing at Family Birthday in Beit Shemesh

A tragic stabbing occurred on Monday in Beit Shemesh during a family birthday celebration on Emek HaZaytim Street, where a 7-year-old boy was fatally stabbed and his 4-year-old cousin was critically injured. Both children were in the yard where the party was taking place when a neighbor in his twenties allegedly attacked them with a knife. A 15-year-old relative was supervising the children and witnessed the attack. The father of one of the children arrived at the scene and found the injured boys near the backyard pool.

Emergency medical teams from Magen David Adom and United Hatzalah provided initial treatment at the scene. The 7-year-old was evacuated to Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in Jerusalem in critical condition but later died despite resuscitation efforts. The 4-year-old cousin was also taken to the hospital with serious injuries. United Hatzalah’s mental health unit offered psychological support to the family and witnesses.

The suspect, a local man in his twenties, was arrested shortly after the incident. Police are interrogating the suspect’s father and investigating multiple leads, including the possibility of the suspect having mental health issues or a prior dispute between the families. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities collecting testimonies from family members and witnesses, including the 15-year-old who was present during the attack. The incident was first reported to emergency services around 16:40, with initial information about the victims’ ages and condition being unclear.

Police have not yet determined the motive behind the stabbing and continue to examine all angles as they probe the circumstances surrounding this violent event.