Only one person tried to help the 21-year-old Yemanu Zalka fight off his attackers during the violent stabbing incident on Independence Day eve, newly released footage of the attack showed.
Relatives of the individual described him as "broken" and that he is "struggling to process what happened and the tragic outcome."
"He tried with all his strength to help the victim and confronted those boys, but he could not succeed, and it is eating away at him," they said. "Give him time to calm down so that he can eventually share what happened in those critical moments, that tragic moment."
Witness testimony and video footage from the scene show that around 15 minors had surrounded Zalka during the incident. One of them appeared to be arguing with Zalka before shoving him, igniting the brawl.
According to the footage, the main suspect allegedly took advantage of a moment when Zalka was unsteady and stabbed him. After the stabbing, he was seen pulling out the knife and handing it to another suspect in an apparent attempt to remove it from the scene.
Even after being stabbed, Zalka reportedly tried to get up again, but was met with blows and kicks to the head from several of the boys. He eventually collapsed on the sidewalk in a pool of blood. His injuries later proved fatal.
A police source told Maariv that publishing videos from the incident violates a gag order and seriously harms the investigation. According to the source, the footage could help suspects and their lawyers coordinate versions of events, making it harder to file severe indictments.
Court extends detention of three suspects, hunting for two more
On Sunday, the Petah Tikva Magistrate's Court extended by five days the detention of the main suspect in Zalka's murder, as well as that of three other teenage suspects.
The three are suspected of aggravated assault, allegedly carried out together, and will remain in police custody for four more days.
Additionally, detectives from the Sharon District Major Crimes Unit arrested an eighth suspect in the case. The suspect has been taken in for questioning and is expected to be brought before the court for a hearing to extend his detention.
Police said that two additional suspects are believed to be on the run and are expected to be arrested soon. Investigators are also working to identify five others who were allegedly present during the brawl that led to the fatal stabbing.
The killing has sparked public outrage and calls for harsher punishment for those involved. Residents from Petah Tikva and nearby cities have continued visiting the scene, lighting memorial candles, and mourning the victim.