Jerusalem (The Palestine Telegraph Newspaper) February 05, 2026 – Israeli minors assaulted Palestinian pupils from East Jerusalem during a school trip at Ein Gedi nature reserve near the Dead Sea, hospital records and police confirm. Seven Palestinian children aged 12-15 suffered bruises, cuts and concussions requiring medical treatment after the attack by Israeli teenagers. Jerusalem police detained four Israeli minors aged 14-16, while the Education Ministry suspended both schools' field trips pending investigation. The incident occurred during overlapping supervised excursions at the popular hiking site.
Police reports detail the confrontation beginning when Israeli high school students approached Palestinian special needs pupils, shouting insults before escalating to physical violence. Magen David Adom ambulances transported the injured to Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital, where doctors treated soft tissue injuries from punches, kicks and thrown stones. Teachers from both groups intervened to separate students as the altercation spread along the beach area.
Local media quickly reported details of the attack on the Palestinian students.
Quds News Network - @QudsNen said in X post,
"Israeli settler militias attacked Palestinian students from Ibn Khaldoun Arab School in Sakhnin while they were on a school trip, according to local sources. The students were assaulted, verbally harassed, and exposed to gas, with several requiring hospital treatment."
Timeline of the Ein Gedi confrontation
The violence erupted around 11:30am Wednesday when two school groups converged near Ein Gedi's Dead Sea beach access point. Palestinian students from an East Jerusalem special education programme participated in an environmental field trip organised by municipal authorities. Simultaneously, Israeli students from a West Jerusalem religious high school conducted a geology lesson under teacher supervision.
Witness accounts describe Israeli teenagers initiating contact by chanting nationalist slogans and throwing sand at the Palestinian group. Several Palestinian boys reported being grabbed, punched and pushed towards the water. Mobile phone videos show physical scuffles involving 10-12 students from each side before adult intervention. Police responded within 20 minutes to emergency calls from excursion leaders.
Medical treatment for Palestinian victims
Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital admitted seven Palestinian minors aged 12-15 with injuries including facial lacerations requiring stitches, bruised ribs, sprained wrists and one mild concussion case. Medical records document blunt force trauma consistent with fists, kicks and rock impacts. All patients received observation care before discharge with follow-up instructions.
A 14-year-old victim described sustaining a split lip and black eye during police interviews. Parents noted additional emotional trauma among uninjured witnesses. No Israeli students required hospitalisation, though two reported minor scratches.
Police detentions and criminal investigation
Jerusalem District Police arrested four Israeli minors aged 14, 15, 15 and 16 at the scene based on witness identifications. Officers collected statements from 25 students and four teachers, confiscating phones containing assault videos. The investigation classifies charges as assault causing bodily injury, with hate crime enhancements under review.
Family court released the detainees to parental supervision Thursday pending forensic analysis of injuries and footage. Police summoned 12 additional Israeli students for questioning and requested Education Ministry trip records. Prosecutors anticipate filing formal charges following evidence review.
Education Ministry disciplinary measures
Both schools face immediate field trip suspensions while internal probes examine supervision failures. East Jerusalem municipality cancelled all nature reserve excursions for special needs programmes, reallocating funds to indoor activities. The West Jerusalem religious school placed implicated students on leave and scheduled mandatory counselling.
Ministry protocols require criminal background checks for supervisors and risk assessments for field locations. District superintendent formed a committee to investigate overlapping scheduling at mixed-use sites. Parents from both communities demanded revised guidelines segregating Arab-Israeli school visits.
Ein Gedi nature reserve operational context
The reserve hosts 500,000 annual visitors including frequent school groups. Israel Nature and Parks Authority confirmed 14 educational visits Wednesday, three involving East Jerusalem students. Management maintains separate entry routes during peak hours but lacks authority over trail interactions.
Prior incidents include 2024 settlement youth clashes resolved peacefully. Police document five assaults since 2020 typically involving adult territorial disputes. Authority suspended small group trips pending security review, adding weekend patrols and bag checks.
Community responses from affected families
East Jerusalem parents protested outside Hadassah Hospital demanding hate crime prosecution and medical reimbursements. Umm al-Fahm officials petitioned for expedited charges describing the violence as organised. Municipal health services deployed trauma counselling to schools.
Israeli parents claimed provocation through circulated videos showing mutual rock throwing. Religious school neighbourhood leaders urged restraint while questioning arrest procedures. School rabbis emphasised non-violence principles in public statements.
Israeli juvenile justice procedures applied
Youth law routes cases under 18 to family court prioritising rehabilitation. Assault convictions for ages 14-16 carry maximum two-year probation with community service. Courts evaluate academic records, family stability and offence history for sentencing.
Hate crime charges require documented nationalist motivation, increasing penalties by one-third. Ministry policy mandates 30-day extracurricular bans for violent students, expulsion possible post-hearing.
Profiles of involved educational programmes
Palestinian victims attended Sur Baher special education centre serving 120 learning-disabled students. The trip taught environmental topics through guided walks, municipally funded with qualified social worker supervision.
Israeli students came from Katamon state-religious high school with 450 enrolment. Geology excursion met curriculum standards under two instructors and parent chaperone. School draws middle-income central Jerusalem families.
Jerusalem youth violence statistical background
Police recorded 187 cross-community youth assaults in 2025, 12% above prior year with East Jerusalem predominant. Incidents peak during holidays and after-school periods. Mixed neighbourhoods like Abu Tor report highest volumes.
Municipal programmes engage 3,200 Arab-Jewish youth annually, down 18% since 2024 due to safety concerns. Education ministry allocated ₪45 million for 2026 coexistence initiatives.
Psychological support services activated
Hadassah social workers recommended weekly therapy addressing post-traumatic symptoms. East Jerusalem health deployed mobile units to schools. Israel Trauma Coalition provided pro-bono services bilaterally through area centres.
Families reported sleep issues and anxiety in younger witnesses. Ministry hotline fielded 43 concerned calls Thursday, dispatching rapid response teams.
Nature reserve security protocol revisions
Israel Nature and Parks Authority halted groups under 20 pending risk evaluation. New rules mandate 48-hour coordination for mixed visits with trailhead security. Annual pass holders face enhanced screening entering beach zones.
Managers confirmed no advance warnings about Wednesday scheduling conflicts. Authority allocated ₪2 million for 2026 CCTV expansion and vehicles.
Law enforcement community engagement efforts
District commander met parents Friday outlining timelines and policing plans. Youth division increased patrols near schools partnering with social services. Harassment hotline launched for inter-group complaints.