Arabs launch violent attack on Jewish shepherds in Israel

On July 11, 2025, a violent incident occurred in the Binyamin region of Judea and Samaria, where a group of Arabs assaulted Jewish shepherds. The attackers used stones and slingshots against the shepherds and set fire to agricultural equipment. Reports state that this attack might have been a premeditated plan to remove a nearby outpost. In the aftermath, a Palestinian with US citizenship reportedly lost his life due to a club shot to the head. Palestinian sources later claimed that two Arabs died during the conflict, prompting Hamas to declare them 'martyrs.' Israeli security forces responded to the situation promptly by dispersing the rioters and encountered explosives planted nearby; fortunately, no injuries to the soldiers were reported. The violence escalated with the involvement of Jewish protesters, resulting in a prolonged riot that lasted until right before sundown, which coincided with the beginning of Shabbat. Israeli settlement leaders consulted with rabbinical authorities regarding actions necessary on Shabbat and subsequently released a statement urging the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to conduct an investigation into the events. They alleged that the dead Palestinian was possibly shot with live fire. Measures were taken to contact high-ranking officials within the Israeli military and government, signaling the seriousness of the situation. In a related development, the family of the deceased Palestinian requested an investigation by the US State Department. Law enforcement officials arrested six individuals during the conflict, including two settlers and an IDF reservist. The clash highlights the ongoing tension and violence in this region, further complicating the already sensitive Israeli-Palestinian relations.