BNEI BRAK, Israel (VINnews) — Police have arrested a 33-year-old woman suspected of cutting the sidecurls of a 10-year-old boy in Bnei Brak, authorities said Sunday.

The suspect, a resident of Modi’in Illit, was taken into custody and brought in for questioning on suspicion of assault and offending religious sentiment, police said.

The incident, which was captured on surveillance video and circulated widely online, prompted an investigation by local authorities after a complaint was filed.

According to the boy’s family, the encounter occurred Friday afternoon as the child was playing outside. A ball reportedly struck a nearby object, prompting a reaction from the woman, who then allegedly approached the child and cut his hair.

The boy was not physically injured but was left shaken, according to the family.

Police said the investigation is ongoing.

המשטרה פתחה בחקירה בעקבות התיעוד מבני ברק בו נראתה אישה ניגשת לילד במעבר חציה וגוזרת לו את הפאה. pic.twitter.com/7WGJh7TVtH

— שילה פריד🇮🇱 (@shilofreid) March 22, 2026