The Israel Police have reported a significant development in the investigation into the disappearance of 61-year-old Fatima Rajabi, who had been missing since the beginning of the week. Following intensive investigative actions and operational efforts over the past few days, a resident of East Jerusalem in his 60s was arrested. The suspect is currently in custody, suspected of involvement in murder and the disappearance of Rajabi.
According to police reports, shortly after the arrest, security forces located a site in East Jerusalem where a female body was found. At this stage, the identity of the deceased has not been officially confirmed. The body was transferred to the National Institute of Forensic Medicine to determine the exact identity and circumstances of death. This process is essential for verifying forensic evidence and strengthening the evidentiary basis for the criminal investigation.
The suspect is scheduled to appear tomorrow before a judge at the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court, where police will request an extension of his detention to continue the investigation. It should be noted that the Rajabi case has been subject to a restrictive gag order since its inception. A recent decision partially lifted the gag order to allow reporting on the arrest and discovery of the body, while the remaining details of the investigation stay under a secrecy order.
The legal system is expected to continue hearing requests for detention extensions as the investigation progresses, with evidentiary weight focusing on pathological results and statements obtained from the suspect. Under Israeli criminal law, the suspect is presumed innocent until proven guilty, and detention procedures are intended to allow the police to gather evidence without compromising the investigation or endangering public safety. No further details regarding the suspect’s relationship with the victim or possible motives have been released, as the investigation remains ongoing under the current judicial restrictions.