Tel Aviv Court Extends Detention of Pharmacy Student Suspected in High Profile Stabbing Attack

Remand extended for a 21-year-old student suspected of stabbing a religious official in Ramat Gan as police wait for DNA and fingerprint results.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 22, 2026, 3:33 PM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Times of Israel

Judicial Remand Extended in Religious Leader Assault Case

The Tel Aviv Magistrate’s Court has ruled to extend the detention of a young man suspected of involvement in a violent stabbing that occurred earlier this month. The suspect, identified as a pharmaceutical student from the village of Jatt, is accused of repeatedly stabbing a forty seven year old official who leads the religious council in Ramat Gan. This judicial decision ensures that the individual remains in custody as investigators work to solidify the connection between the suspect and the violent encounter that left a prominent community figure in critical condition.

The Medical Recovery of Gedalyahu Ben Shimon

Gedalyahu Ben Shimon, the victim of the mid March attack, was rushed to the Ichilov Medical Center in Tel Aviv following the incident. Medical reports indicate that he sustained several stab wounds and required immediate, life saving emergency surgery upon arrival at the facility. Although the injuries were initially classified as severe, hospital staff have since confirmed that Ben Shimon has transitioned into stable condition. His recovery remains a central point of interest for the community as the legal proceedings against his alleged assailant move forward in the court system.

Defense Claims Alibi and Professional Duties

During the court proceedings, the suspect, Muhammad Watad, has remained steadfast in his declaration of innocence. His defense team argues that he was fulfilling his professional duties at a local pharmacy at the exact time the stabbing took place. According to his testimony, he only exited the building after hearing emergency alarms and the general commotion in the street. This narrative directly challenges the prosecution's theory, providing an alternative explanation for his presence in the vicinity of the crime scene on the day of the attack.