Israeli Court Upholds Detention of Eldar Dayan’s Suspected Killers Amid Ongoing Investigation

The Central District Court in Lod rejected appeals by Maxim Barberman and Omri David Peretz, two friends of Eldar Dayan suspected of his murder, and extended their detention until August 24. Judge Michal Barak Nevo ruled that despite unresolved questions in the investigation, the suspicion against the two remains "solid and substantial." This decision came a day after the Magistrate’s Court revealed that after 24 days of detention, the final forensic report determining Dayan’s cause of death has not yet been received, and no direct forensic evidence currently links Peretz or Barberman to the murder.

The investigation continues on two fronts: the suspected murder by Peretz and Barberman, and the involvement of five other youths arrested for a fight with Dayan and his friends prior to his disappearance. Police are examining whether injuries Dayan sustained in the altercation contributed to his death, but no murder or manslaughter charges have been filed against those five. Authorities maintain these investigative tracks are connected rather than mutually exclusive.

Police are also scrutinizing inconsistencies in the suspects’ statements, including discrepancies about where the three parted ways, with one version conflicting with security camera footage. The defense highlighted that Barberman had identified the location where he lost contact with Dayan before his arrest, and Dayan’s body was later found nearby. Peretz’s phone is under examination after police noted he initially claimed not to have a phone but later handed it over; investigators are checking for deleted content, though no deletion has been confirmed. Peretz’s lawyer stated he cooperated voluntarily.

The key question remains: what caused Eldar Dayan’s death? The final forensic medical opinion is still pending. Meanwhile, the court found the existing evidence sufficient to justify continued detention of the two suspects until August 24.