Full Breakdown
Murder of Yemanu Binyamin Zalka Prompts Community Memorials and Ongoing Police Investigation
4/29/2026, 8:29:43 PM
Fatal Stabbing and Immediate Aftermath
On the evening of 25 April 2026, the eve of Israel’s Independence Day, 21-year-old Yemanu Binyamin Zalka, a Pizza Hut shift supervisor in Petah Tikva, was stabbed after confronting a group of teenagers outside the restaurant. Witnesses said about 15 minors had gathered after being expelled for spraying foam inside. One teen shoved Zalka; a suspect stabbed him, removed the knife and handed it to another. Zalka tried to rise but was beaten, collapsed in blood and died two days later at Belinson Hospital.
Timeline of Key Developments
- 25 Apr – Zalka stabbed outside Pizza Hut; he died two days later.
- 28 Apr – Police detained seven minors (initially six, a seventh later found).
- 29 Apr – Court extended detention of main suspect for five days; three more arrests ordered.
- 30 Apr – Ninth suspect arrested; two placed under house arrest; detention of six others extended; municipality announced a Zalka-named sports hall and Pizza Hut pledged salary payments.
Data & Statistics
Nine minors are suspected; six detained (including two under house arrest and one newly arrested), while two remain at large and five participants are being sought. He was 21-year-old Yemanu Binyamin Zalka, a former IDF soldier.
Official Statements & Responses
Pizza Hut said it will keep paying Zalka’s salary to his family “for as long as it exists” and will set up an aid fund. The Petah Tikva municipality described the Zalka-named sports hall as a hub and a “clear message against violence.” Mayor Rami Greenberg said there are “no words” for the shock and noted Zalka “worked to support himself.” Israel Police confirmed a gag order remains and said one suspect is the son of a senior defense official. The court extended detentions pending further hearings.
Criticism & Opposition
A police source warned that publishing video footage breaches the gag order and could help suspects coordinate versions of events, weakening the case. This underscores tension between transparency and investigative integrity.
Verbatim Quotes
- “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,” — Relatives of the bystander
- “Pizza Hut will continue to pay the salary of the late Yemanu Binyamin Zalka to his family every month for as long as it exists, the chain announced in a statement on Monday.” — Pizza Hut statement
- “A police source told Maariv that publishing videos from the incident violates a gag order and seriously harms the investigation.” — Police source
What's Next
Police keep searching for the two suspects at large and five additional participants. Court hearings to extend detention of remaining suspects are scheduled, while the municipality proceeds with the Zalka-named sports hall.
