Body of Israeli Teen Found in Judea and Samaria; IDF Says He Was Murdered in Terror Attack

The IDF on Saturday, April 13, found the body of a 14-year-old Israeli who went missing while shepherding in Judea and Samaria a day earlier, as renewed clashes were reported between settlers and Palestinians. Jerusalem resident Benjamin Achimeir was murdered in a terror attack, the IDF and Shin Bet security agency said in a joint statement.

Amid violent clashes on Saturday afternoon by settler extremists with Palestinians after the body was found, with PA media reporting one Palestinian shot in the head and critically injured, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appealed to the public not to hinder the work of the security forces in apprehending the murderers and maintaining security.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant issued a similar plea, but also specifically warned the public: “Revenge attacks will make it harder for our forces in their mission. Do not take the law into your own hands.”

According to the IDF, Achimeir set out in the early morning hours of Friday from a farm near the outpost of Malachei Shalom to go shepherding. Hours later, the sheep returned to “Gal Farm” without him.

Achimeir’s body was spotted on Saturday morning by a drone operated by the Border Defense Corps’ 636th Combat Intelligence Collection unit, close to the farm where he initially went missing. The murder was believed to have been carried out by Palestinian terrorists, and taken place in the late morning hours or early afternoon of Friday, according to an initial investigation.

“Security forces are continuing the pursuit of those suspected of carrying out the attack,” the IDF and Shin Bet said, adding that they “send their heartfelt condolences to the family.” (TOI / VFI News)

“God, we pray for peace and unity in our country. May You uproot the terrorists and soften the hearts of all civilians residing in Israel. The death of Benjamin Achimeir extremely saddens us and we offer our sincerest condolences to his family. We pray that You will comfort them and let them rest in Your loving embrace. We also pray for the Palestinian who is critically wounded and anyone else who might be recovering from the clashes. May You bless us with peace and prosperity according to Your will in Heaven for the years to come.”