The Israel Defense Forces announced that a teenage Israeli boy who was reported missing on Friday has been found “murdered in a terrorist attack” in Gaza’s West Bank, after his disappearance set off a clash between Palestinians and Israelis.
The body of 14-year-old Binyamin Achimair was found near where he had been reported missing, and an investigation into his death is underway. The investigation is being carried out by Israel’s security agency Shin Bet.
“The body of 14-year-old Binyamin Achimair was located in the area of Malachei HaShalom a short while ago,” the IDF said in a post to X on Saturday.
“Binyamin went missing yesterday morning (Friday) and was murdered in a terrorist attack. Security forces continue the pursuit after those suspected of his murder.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also ordered investigations by the Israeli police and IDF to be carried out in Palestinian towns near where the boy had disappeared.
“The abominable murder of the boy Binyamin Achimair is a serious crime. I send my heartfelt condolences to his family,” Netanyahu said in a statement obtained by the Jerusalem Post. “IDF and Shin Bet forces are in an extensive pursuit of the despicable murderers and all those who cooperated with them. We will get to the murderers and their helpers as we do to anyone who harms the citizens of the State of Israel.”
The Israeli boy had been grazing sheep at the “Gal Farm” on Friday morning, when his sheep returned home without him, according to local police.
Achimair’s disappearance led to a clash on Saturday that resulted in one death of a Palestinian man so far. It is not clear whether the 26-year-old Palestinian was killed by a settler or an IDF soldier.
Two other Palestinians were also shot and killed by Israeli forces in riots on the West Bank, according to the BBC. One was confirmed to be a local Hamas commander, according to the terrorist organization.
Tensions have been rising in the Middle East recently, and Achimair’s death comes as Israel prepares for a possible attack from Iran over the weekend, in response to the deaths of seven Iranian military members who were killed by Israeli air strikes in Syria.
