Israeli Court Releases Minor Suspect to House Arrest in Benjamin Zelka Murder Case

The Lod District Court ordered the release to house arrest of a minor suspect involved in the murder of Benjamin Zelka, despite opposition from the prosecution. The court ruled that after more than two months in custody, and considering the suspect's age, house arrest was an appropriate alternative. According to the indictment and investigation by the Sharon Crime Fighting Unit, the minor was involved in the violent altercation during which another suspect fatally stabbed Zelka. Evidence shows the minor was present briefly at the scene, threw snow spray at the victim, and kicked him during the incident. However, the defense, led by attorney Nava Toldano, argues the minor had no role in planning or carrying out the stabbing and was at the scene by chance, attempting to help a friend who was attacked. Toldano stated, "He did not know about the intent to stab or the presence of a knife, arrived after the event began, and was only there for a few seconds. There was no basis for charging him, and I intend to continue fighting for his innocence." The court also decided that all three minor suspects in the case would be released under court-determined alternatives to detention, following probation service recommendations and prior rulings. The prosecution announced it would not appeal the decision to release the minors to alternative detention measures.