Court extends detention of 16 teens suspected of involvement in fatal stabbing of Yemanu Zelka

By Charlie Summers

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25 May 2026, 2:27 pm

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Yemanu Binyamin Zelka, who was stabbed and killed at his Pizza Hut job in the early hours of Independence Day. (Social media, undated; used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)

The Lod-Central District Court has extended the detention of all 16 minors accused in the fatal stabbing of Yemanu Zelka, the State Attorney’s Office announces.

The defendants will remain in custody until another decision is handed down by the court, the statement says.

Zelka, a Pizza Hut employee from Petah Tikva, was stabbed on the night of Independence Day in an attack by a group of teens after he told them not to spray party foam in the restaurant. He was taken to the hospital, where he died of his wounds a day later.

The 16-year-old who allegedly stabbed Zelka was indicted earlier this month on the charge of negligent murder, while the 15 other suspects were charged with causing serious bodily harm with intent.