A 22-year-old man was shot dead in the Negev desert after being confronted by an armed settler, with authorities quickly claiming he had been involved in weapons smuggling. Family members and eyewitnesses vehemently deny the allegation, insisting he was simply stopping for water on his way to work when he was killed. The victim, Ayyoub al-Toukhi from the Bedouin village of Bir Hadaj, was shot two days ago on a public road frequently used by local residents. Witnesses describe the shooting as unprovoked and motivated by the victim’s identity rather than any criminal activity.

Eyewitnesses emphasised that al-Toukhi had no connection to smuggling or any illegal activity. His grandfather described him as a quiet young man, noting that claims of illicit involvement were fabricated to protect the settler from accountability. Other observers said a vehicle carrying individuals in both military and civilian clothing suddenly confronted al-Toukhi and his companion before opening fire. The road where the incident occurred was a main thoroughfare, and there was no indication of wrongdoing on his part.

The settler responsible was released within 24 hours, provoking widespread anger among local residents. Hundreds of demonstrators gathered at the Assaluj junction to protest what they described as systematic impunity for attacks on local populations. Families and activists argue that such killings are frequently obscured by unproven allegations, allowing settlers and security personnel to evade scrutiny. They link the pattern of lethal force to a climate of discrimination and systemic targeting of communities across the region.