5 arrested for attacking East Jerusalem resident

Arab man assaulted while visiting southern neighborhood of capital

A main street in Jabel Mukaber, one of the Arab villages abutting Armon Hanatziv (Jessica Steinberg/Times of Israel)

Israel Police said Wednesday an ongoing investigation into the recent assault of an East Jerusalem man had so far nabbed five suspects, including the main attacker.

The investigation was launched after a resident from the predominantly Arab neighborhood of Jabel Mukaber reported to police that he was set upon during a trip to the south of the city, police said in a statement.

According to the victim, a man, backed up by several others, approached and then attacked him.

The complainant did not require medical treatment after the assault and the gang fled the scene

Police arrested three suspects, all Jewish, including the main instigator of the attack, a man in his 20s. Two of the suspects were remanded in custody and the third was released with conditions.

Police did not say when the initial arrests were made but on Wednesday two further suspects were detained.

The two latest suspects were to be brought for a court hearing on their arrests on Thursday.

Police said the investigation was still ongoing and that cops were probing the motive for the assault.

Judah Ari Gross contributed to this report

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