The man who allegedly killed a six-year-old Palestinian-American boy has pleaded not guilty to murder and hate crime charges.

Prosecutors say 71-year-old Joseph Czuba stabbed Wadea Al-Fayoume to death and seriously wounded his mother in an attack at their home  in the U.S. state of Illinois.

He allegedly targeted the two, who were his tenants, because of their religion and the Israel-Hamas war.

He is also facing attempted murder and aggravated battery charges.

According to BBC News, Czuba only spoke briefly to acknowledge the court during a hearing on Monday.

A judge ordered him to be held in jail until the next hearing in the case in January.

If convicted of murder, he faces a potential sentence of 20 years to life in prison.