Israeli Police Form Special Team to Review Handling of Leya Malka's Murder Complaints

The head of the Israeli Police Investigations and Intelligence Division, Commissioner Boaz Balat, has established a special team to examine the police response to complaints filed by Leya Malka and her family against her partner. Malka was killed about a month ago when a bomb attached to her car exploded on the Ayalon Highway near the Holon interchange, shortly after she dropped her daughter off at kindergarten. Prior to her murder, four complaints were lodged against her partner, but no significant police action was taken. Only after her death was an indictment filed against him for threats.

The review team will assess how the complaints were handled and evaluate the performance of the Rishon Lezion police station. Malka’s family met with National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir to discuss the case. Family attorney Adi Carmeli stated that the police must conduct a serious self-examination, emphasizing that the inadequate response likely contributed to the tragedy. The family is considering further steps after the review’s conclusions.

Last month, the suspect’s detention was extended again; he is accused of Malka’s murder. Police noted that he refused to provide the passcode for his mobile phone, which they described as a deliberate attempt to obstruct the investigation. His lawyers, Raees Abu Seif and Amir Kamchi, denied the allegations and criticized the investigation’s lack of progress, requesting his release under restrictive conditions.

Police investigations revealed that Malka was under surveillance by a hit squad from early morning on June 4, 2026, the day of the attack. The explosive device, containing about half a kilogram of explosives, detonated as she drove on the Ayalon Highway. Paramedics who arrived at the scene described severe injuries and confirmed her death on site. Malka was a former police officer, and her family had previously reported threats from her estranged partner, but they claim police protection was insufficient. The ongoing investigation focuses on complex intelligence and technological aspects.