Israel Police on Monday arrested a ninth suspect, a Petah Tikva minor, in suspicion of involvement in a scuffle that led to the deadly stabbing of Yemanu Binyamin Zalka in the city on the eve of Independence Day.
Police further said that two of the suspects were released to house arrest for 12 days, while the detention of six others was extended after they were brought to court.
The ninth suspect is expected to appear in court on Tuesday, where his arrest will be extended.
Police noted the search for further suspects in the murder case is ongoing.
On Saturday, Israel Police had detained seven minors in connection with Zalka's murder. The police had initially announced the detention of six minors, with the seventh one being detained later on Saturday when he was found in a hideout apartment in central Israel.
As part of the operation, police searches had been carried out at several addresses simultaneously, with evidence collected linking the suspects to the murder.
The murder of Yemanu Binyamin Zalka
Zalka was killed after leaving work on the eve of Independence Day by a group of teenagers who, according to witnesses, were kicked out of the Pizza Hut branch where the victim worked after causing a commotion and spraying paper-spray at other patrons.
The assailants attacked Zalka after waiting outside as he closed the shop, fatally wounding him. Zalka was declared dead two days later by doctors at Belinson Hospital, where he had been treated.
Petah Tikva resident Yemanu Binyamin Zalka, a recently released IDF soldier, was 21-years-old at the time of his murder.
Israel Police have insisted that a gag order remain in place for the investigation until further notice.
Hodaya Ran contributed to this report.