In a photo published on August 21, 2026, the suspect in the murder of a 7-year-old boy in Beit Shemesh arrives for a remand hearing at the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court on August 18, 2026. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
The suspect in the murder of 7-year-old Hillel Mordechai Dadon in Beit Shemesh earlier this week is believed to have visited the apartment where Dadon was staying hours before he stabbed the boy to death and injured his 4-year-old cousin, the Israel Police says in an update on the case.
Dadon and his 4-year-old cousin were attacked on Monday while their parents were out of the house.
The suspect, a 26-year-old male neighbor of the family, is identified by Hebrew-language media as Liel Ifergan, although the police update does not identify him by name.
According to the police, the suspect visited the home earlier in the day and had a brief conversation with the homeowner before departing. Hours later, he returned and stabbed the two boys.
Hillel Mordechai Dadon. (Courtesy)
The suspect’s motive is not yet known. The deputy head of the Jerusalem District Police’s interrogation division says the investigation is currently focused on “understanding exactly what the suspect’s motive was and what led him to attack the children.”
His remand has been extended until August 25.
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Friday, August 21, 2026
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