Rossella Tercatin is The Times of Israel's archaeology and religions reporter.
A screengrab of an image aired on Channel 12 on April 25, 2026, purporting to show a suspect holding a knife, which was allegedly used in the killing of Yemanu Binyamin Zelka in Petah Tikvah. (Channel 12)
A 15-year-old suspected of stabbing to death a 21-year-old working at a pizzeria in Petah Tikva on Independence Day on Wednesday was caught on camera holding a knife covered in blood, Channel 12 reports, airing the image.
Yemanu Binyamin Zelka was working at the Pizza Hut restaurant in the Kfar Ganim neighborhood when he politely asked a group of youths to stop spraying party foam in the restaurant, police said.
According to the Kan public broadcaster, one of the minors stabbed Zelka while the others beat or watched the victim.
Earlier today, seven minors ages 13 to 17 were arrested in connection with the killing.
Yamenu 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 main suspect, aged 15, was reportedly arrested in an apartment where he was hiding in central Israel after officers broke in and then chased him down after he tried to flee.
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From the Liveblog of
Saturday, April 25, 2026
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