A child walks in front of a memorial mural of Yemanu Zelka, who was stabbed to death in Petah Tikva on Independence Day a week earlier, Ashdod, April 28, 2026. (Liron Moldovan/Flash90)

Police arrest another teen suspect in Independence Day murder at Petah Tikva pizzeria

Arrest brings number of detained suspects to 11; primary suspect yet to face judge; Pizza Hut reportedly to continue paying victim Yemanu Zelka’s family

by · The Times of Israel

Police on Wednesday arrested another minor suspected of involvement in the fatal stabbing of pizzeria worker Yemanu Zelka on Independence Day in Petah Tikva, bringing the number of detained suspects in the case to 11.

Zelka, a 21-year-old Pizza Hut employee, was stabbed to death on the night of the holiday last week by a group of adolescents after he told them not to spray party foam in the restaurant.

After waiting outside for Zelka to finish his late-night shift, the youths ambushed and beat him, with one assailant taking out a knife and stabbing him. He later died of his wounds.

The youth arrested on Wednesday, a resident of Petah Tikva, will be brought on Thursday before a judge for an extension of his remand.

Police added that they are continuing to search for additional individuals suspected of involvement in Zelka’s killing.

Earlier Wednesday, the Petah Tikva Magistrate’s Court extended the detention of four of the previously arrested suspects. They will remain in custody until Friday.

Of the 11 suspects in the case, three have been transferred to house arrest on the order of a judge, including two 12-year-olds.

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 in the case, a 15-year-old believed to have carried out the lethal stabbing, and two other detainees have not yet been brought before a judge to extend their detention a second time.

Outside the court, a group of around 200 protesters gathered, most of them Ethiopian Israelis, demanding “justice for Yemanu” and urging a harsh punishment for the suspects.

“Ethiopian blood is not cheap,” the protesters chanted.

Pizza Hut reportedly to continue paying Zelka’s family

Meanwhile, Channel 12 reported Tuesday that Pizza Hut will continue to pay Zelka’s monthly salary to his family.

The 21-year-old used his salary from the fast-food chain to help support his family.

In addition to paying Zelka’s salary, the restaurant chain has also set up a financial aid fund for his relatives, and has been providing them food and drink as they sit shiva, the traditional Jewish seven-day mourning period, Channel 12 reported.

The deadly stabbing came as a shock to many Israelis and spurred police to ramp up their efforts to combat juvenile delinquency, particularly in Tel Aviv and its environs.

People gather outside a Pizza Hut branch in Petah Tikva, lighting candles and placing flowers in memory of employee Yemanu Binyamin Zelka, who was stabbed and later died of his wounds on the eve of Independence Day, April 27, 2026. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)

Over the past week, Israelis from across the country have been coming to visit the family as they mourn outside their home in Petah Tikva.

The site of the killing has been transformed into a makeshift memorial, with the entrance to the fast-food restaurant lined by wreaths, posters lamenting violence and asking forgiveness, and dozens of memorial candles spread out across the sidewalk.