In a tragic turn of events, the lifeless body of Benjamin Achimeir, a 14-year-old Israeli shepherd, was discovered in the West Bank on Saturday morning. Israeli officials are treating his killing as a suspected terror attack. Achimeir was last seen leaving the Malachei Shalom settlement in the early hours of Friday, and the sheep he was tending to later returned without him, as reported by Israeli media.

The teen's body was located by a drone on Saturday, though the exact cause of his death has yet to be officially confirmed. However, it is believed that he was shot. In response to this tragic incident, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared the killing as a "terrorist attack" and vowed to apprehend those responsible for harming the citizens of Israel.

Prime Minister Netanyahu has ordered an extensive investigation to be carried out by the Israel Defense Forces, Shin Bet, and Israel Police. The focus of the probe will be on the Palestinian villages near the location where the boy's body was found, according to the Jerusalem Post.

The news of Achimeir's disappearance sparked outrage within the Israeli settler community, leading to an eruption of violence against the Palestinian village of al-Mughayyir. During Friday's unrest, Jehad Abu Alia, a 26-year-old Palestinian, lost his life, and 25 others were reportedly injured, as stated by Palestinian health officials.

Following the discovery of the teen's body on Saturday, dozens of settlers returned to the village and embarked on a rampage, setting ablaze 12 homes and several cars, according to reports. Three additional individuals in the village were injured, with one in critical condition, as confirmed by health officials. Moreover, in the nearby village of Douma, Israeli settlers allegedly set fire to around 15 homes and 10 farms, according to the head of the village council, Slieman Dawabsheh. He also claimed that the Israeli army used tear gas and rubber bullets against the villagers.

Tensions between Israeli settlers and Palestinians in the West Bank have been running high, especially since the terror attack on October 7th. The West Bank, which is claimed as Palestinian territory but has been occupied by Israel since 1967, has experienced an escalation of violence. Hamas, the militant group currently fending off an Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip, is reportedly trying to incite further conflict in the West Bank.

According to the Associated Press, over the past six months, Israeli gunfire has claimed the lives of more than 460 Palestinians in the West Bank. As Israel braces itself for a potential direct attack from Iran in retaliation for an Israeli strike earlier this month that killed a Revolutionary Guards leader, the fallout from Benjamin Achimeir's death adds to the mounting tensions in the region.

The Israeli government, along with international observers, will closely monitor the situation and work towards fostering peace and stability in the West Bank, as well as preventing further acts of violence and terrorism.