Arutz Sheva reported that Palestinians from the village of Dayr Dibwana in the Binyamin region attacked two Israeli shepherds grazing their flock near the town of Mikhmas over Shabbat.
By Rachel Avraham
According to various reports in the media, Israel arrested two Palestinians suspected of attacking Israeli shepherds in the Binyamin region over Shabbat. “IDF, Israel Security Agency [Shin Bet] and Israel Police forces operated overnight in the town of Deir Dibwan in the Binyamin Brigade [deployment area], arresting two suspects in the attack and injury of two Israeli civilians the day before yesterday in the Michmash area of the Binyamin Brigade,” the IDF told JNS. According to the report, the suspects will be interrogated by the IDF and Shin Bet.
Arutz Sheva earlier reported that Palestinians from the village of Dayr Dibwana in the Binyamin region attacked two Israeli shepherds grazing their flock near the town of Mikhmas over Shabbat. According to the report, the attackers arrived in three vehicles – two with Israeli license plates and one without. Arutz Sheva claimed that they attacked one shepherd, stabbing him in the face, and that his companion was also attacked. According to the report, the shepherds managed to call security forces, prompting the attackers to flee back to the village. Arutz Sheva reported that medical teams provided initial care to the two victims, who were moderately and lightly wounded, suffering from facial cuts and bruises.
“They came quickly through fields from the village, armed with clubs and knives,” Yehuda, one of the injured shepherds, told Arutz Sheva. “It was a well-organized mass attack. My friend tried to defend himself but was stabbed in the face and fell bleeding. I tried to help him, and they started attacking me too. Thankfully, we managed to call for help. The attackers saw security forces arriving and fled back to the village. I hope the security forces take this seriously and capture the assailants.”
The Hashomer Yosh nonprofit told Arutz Sheva: “Today’s attack is further evidence of the dangerous escalation in Arab terrorism against shepherds in Judea and Samaria. We demand forceful action from the security system against the terrorists to bring them to justice. Shepherds cannot be brutally attacked on their land. We stand with the injured shepherds and wish them a full recovery.”
The IDF stated “Earlier today (Saturday), a report was received regarding several terrorists, armed with clubs, a knife, and stones, who attacked Israeli civilians near Dayr Dibwana and then fled the scene. During the incident, two Israeli civilians were injured and were evacuated to the hospital for medical treatment. Upon receiving the report, IDF and Israel Police forces were dispatched to the scene. IDF soldiers conducted searches in Dayr Dibwana, where the attackers had fled.”
JNS reported that Arab aggression against Jewish shepherds in Judea and Samaria have been on the rise. “Jewish farmers are grazing their sheep in open areas; Arabs don’t like that, even if it happens in Area C [of Judea and Samaria, where Israeli communities are located]. They’re trying to stop them by using violence,” a local official from Judea and Samaria told JNS in 2023.
Earlier in the month, ten Arab rioters attacked two Jewish shepherds from the Kashuala Farm in Gush Etzion with clubs and rocks while they were tending their flocks in the grazing fields near the community of Gvaot, JFEED reported. According to the report, the violent attack, which lasted for about three hours, left the shepherds’ lives in danger. JFEED reported that security forces arrived after an hour, but by then, the rioters had caused significant harm. According to the report, one 19-year-old shepherd sustained serious head injuries from rocks thrown at him and was evacuated to Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem in moderate condition. After security forces arrived, they chased the attackers, most of whom managed to flee, though two were apprehended.
In April 2024, the Jewish Press reported that 14-year-old Binyamin Achimeir, a Jewish shepherd from the community of Malachei HaShalom, was murdered by Arab terrorists while grazing his flock. According to the report, his community was alerted after the sheep arrived home later in the day without him, prompting a massive search for the boy that ended with the tragic discovery of his body not far from home.
