15-Year-Old Assaulted at Petah Tikva Mall, and Attack Video Spread Online

A 15-year-old boy, identified as A., was violently attacked on Monday evening at the HaGadol Mall in Petah Tikva by a group of teenagers aged 14 to 17. According to the report, they surrounded him, punched and kicked him across his body, and some of them filmed the assault on their phones.

The videos were later circulated in school group chats, deepening the outrage. The boy’s parents said their son became the victim of “violent and merciless” abuse. They said a group of teenagers known in the city for intimidating others spotted him in the mall and chased him and beat him “without any reason,” then turned his suffering into “content” instead of helping or calling for assistance.

The attack took place around 6:30 p.m. A. was taken to Beilinson Hospital with injuries to his head, ribs and hand, and was discharged home Tuesday morning with physical injuries and pain throughout his body.

Police from the Rosh HaAyin station opened an investigation after the report and arrested several suspects overnight, all minors. Police said the suspects are expected to appear in court today, where investigators will seek to extend their detention.