Knife-Wielding Relative Indicted for Friday-Night Terror in Jerusalem Apartment
Suspect from Israel’s Sharon region accused of breaking into his cousin’s Jerusalem home, threatening her family at knifepoint, and fleeing with stolen items.
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On Friday evening, 4 July 2025, a routine family visit in central Jerusalem erupted into terror when a man from Israel’s Sharon region allegedly forced his way into his cousin’s apartment and threatened her and her two daughters with a kitchen knife.
According to the indictment filed on Sunday, the thirty‑something suspect arrived unannounced shortly after candle‑lighting. When the woman refused to let him in, he shoved the door open. Spotting a knife on the counter, he grabbed it and waved the blade at her, warning, “I’ll stab the girls.”
The mother ran into the hallway to call for help while her daughters locked themselves in a bedroom. Prosecutors say the intruder then stole one daughter’s handbag, which contained her identity card, house keys, mobile phone and some cash. Before fleeing, he discharged pepper spray through the flat, leaving its occupants coughing and frightened.
Patrol officers from the Lev Ha‑Bira station mounted an immediate search, and Jerusalem SWAT (Yasam) units located the suspect a short time later after he was linked to a separate credit‑card incident. He was taken into custody for questioning.
Police have charged the man with trespass, making threats, unlawful possession of a knife and theft. They have asked the Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court to keep him behind bars until the end of the proceedings, citing the severity of the alleged offences and the danger he poses to the victims.
No physical injuries were reported, though investigators say the psychological impact on the family is significant. Photographs released by police show the knife allegedly used in the attack and the stolen items recovered during the arrest.