Man kidnaps daughters to West Bank; officers rescue them, arrest him

After reported incident of domestic violence in Ashdod, father allegedly grabs children, aged 1 and 3, and heads to Palestinian village; cops track him, return kids to mother

Police arrest a man who allegedly kidnapped his two children into the southern West Bank on March 12, 2026. (Israel Police)
Police arrest a man who allegedly kidnapped his two children into the southern West Bank on March 12, 2026. (Israel Police)

A man who tried to kidnap his two young daughters and take them to the West Bank on Thursday was arrested, and the girls were returned to their mother, Israel Police said.

The kidnapping attempt began in the morning in the southern Israeli port city of Ashdod, following a domestic violence incident between the 31-year-old suspect and his wife, police said.

Police said the man fled the scene, making off with his daughters — aged one and three — to the Palestinian village of Bayt Awwa, west of Hebron.

When the incident was reported to police, officers began tracking the man’s vehicle as it headed into the West Bank.

The suspect was later arrested at a home in the village by detectives, who were assisted by IDF troops accompanying them into the community.

The toddlers were returned to their mother, and the suspect was taken for questioning to the Ashdod police station.

Most Popular
read more:
If you’d like to comment, join
The Times of Israel Community.
Join The Times of Israel Community
Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Confirm Mail
Thank you! Now check your email
You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.