Israeli Police Arrest 18-Year-Old Over Grenade Attack on Japnika Restaurant

Israeli police announced the arrest of an 18-year-old resident of Bat Yam suspected of throwing a fragmentation grenade at a Japnika restaurant branch in Kiryat Ono early Monday morning. The suspect was detained on Thursday and is scheduled for a remand hearing at the Tel Aviv Magistrate's Court. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

This arrest follows the detention of Yossi Musli, head of a crime organization, three days earlier amid a series of grenade attacks across the Gush Dan area linked to a financial dispute with the Jerushi crime family. Police also arrested another 18-year-old and two men in their 30s from Gush Dan suspected of involvement in the attacks. All four suspects had their detention extended by four days.

On Wednesday, a grenade exploded at a Japnika branch in Rosh Pina, prompting police to launch an investigation. Between Monday night and Tuesday morning, four fragmentation grenades were thrown at locations in Rishon Lezion, Tel Aviv, and two Japnika branches in Afula and Netanya. Hours later, a shooting was reported at another Japnika branch in Herzliya.

Police suspect these attacks are connected to the ongoing conflict between the Musli and Jerushi crime families and may be attempts to harm the restaurant chain owned by businessman Barak Abramov. No injuries were reported, but significant damage occurred, including a fire at the Netanya branch and bullet marks on the Herzliya restaurant’s window. Additional grenades damaged a residential building in Rishon Lezion and a private home in Tel Aviv.

Initial police investigations suggest the weapons used were stolen military-grade arms, and the incidents are part of a continuing criminal feud.