60-year-old Palestinian herder, daughter, detained by IDF after settlers lay claim to their sheep

Two Palestinians are detained by IDF forces in the hamlet of Maghayir al ‘Abeed in the Masafer Yatta region of the southern West Bank, after extremist settlers laid claim to their sheep.

Those detained are Shahadi Mahamreh, a 60-year-old herder from the village, and his daughter. Video footage taken by civil rights activists in the hamlet shows Mahamreh handcuffed and blindfolded as he is led away by an IDF soldier

According to the activists, the settlers from nearby illegal outposts arrived earlier in the day and claimed that their sheep had gotten lost. They then accused Mahamreh of having taken them.

Police have been present in the hamlet for several hours in an apparent effort to clarify the situation.

Salaam Adra, one of the Palestinian civil rights activists at the scene, says that an IDF soldier beat a resident of Maghayir al ‘Abeed and one of the Palestinian activists during the incident.

The IDF did not immediately respond to a request for comment as to why Mahamreh and his daughter were arrested, or on the allegation that IDF soldiers beat people at the scene.

A police spokesperson tells The Times of Israel that police arrived at the scene after settlers claimed that their sheep had been stolen.

She says the police are photographing the sheep and will bring in a veterinary service to determine ownership of the sheep, adding that no sheep have been removed from the village at present.

Theft of Palestinian livestock by settler extremists has become increasingly common in recent years and has been documented in video footage on numerous occasions, including with the cooperation of IDF soldiers and in the Masafer Yatta region.

Civil rights activists and legal representatives for Palestinian herders have repeatedly reported efforts by settler extremists to cast doubt on ownership of livestock as part of their efforts to steal sheep, goats, and cattle.

Shahadi Mahamreh, a 60-year old herder, handcuffed and blindfolded as he is led away by an IDF soldier in the hamlet of Maghayir al ‘Abeed in the Masafer Yatta region of the southern West Bank, April 29, 2026. (Courtesy of Peace Bearer)