"They Only Stopped When They Thought He Was Dead": Indictments in Huwara Lynching of Jewish Teen

Acting on intelligence from the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet), Border Police officers moved to arrest suspects involved in a brutal lynching of a Jewish teen in Huwara. Over the past weekend, the investigation reached the point where indictments were filed against three of those involved.

According to findings from a joint Shin Bet–Judea and Samaria Border Police investigation, the assault took place about two months ago, on January 25, after the teen entered the village area. Shortly afterward, several local residents violently attacked him. He was beaten so savagely that he lost consciousness, and the suspects left the scene only after they believed he was dead.

Once information about the incident came in, the Israel Security Agency launched efforts to locate the victim alongside focused efforts to identify those involved. As part of the operation, six suspects were arrested, and by the end of the investigation indictments were filed against three of them.

Security officials describe the case as a lynching with "severe security characteristics," citing its violent nature and the circumstances in which it was carried out. They emphasized that they will continue to act decisively to identify and thwart similar incidents.

The Shin Bet, the police, and the Border Police said they will continue to operate "resolutely and by all means" against terror and to see justice served against those involved, combining intelligence and operational efforts.