A 21-year-old Arab was indicted on Friday for the murder of a 14-year-old Israeli shepherd in Judea and Samaria

According to the indictment, Ahmed Dawabsha allegedly became interested in ISIS ideology about a year ago, believing that all non-Muslims are infidels.

On the morning of April 13, Dawabsha armed himself with a 20cm knife and went to the area near the outpost of Malachei Shalom. Upon arrival, he spotted a woman and a child but finally determined that Benjamin Achimeir, who was alone with his flock, would be a more vulnerable target.

Dawabsha then concealed himself in the grass, waiting for the young shepherd to come closer. When Achimeir was just a few meters away, Dawabsha rose and began pursuing him, reportedly shouting, “I will kill you.” After Achimeir stumbled and fell, the terrorist killed him; however, details of the attack were deemed too graphic for public release by Israeli authorities.

After the gruesome murder, Dawabsha is said to have searched for more potential victims before being chased away by a dog.

The ISIS-inspired terrorist was arrested eight days later in a joint operation by Israeli police, military, and intelligence services at his home in the Arab town of Duma near Ramallah. Officials say he implicated himself during initial questioning. Prosecutors are calling for the death penalty, though this is rarely applied in Israel.

Violence has dramatically escalated in Judea and Samaria after October 7 when Hamas attacked southern Israel, killing nearly 1,200 people and taking over 250 hostages. Since that fateful day, 20 Israelis have been killed in the area and over 4,150 Arabs arrested.