Israel arrests suspects for Palestinian teenager killing

Above: Israeli police during clashes in Jerusalem on Saturday.

The death of 16-year-old Mohammed Abu Khudair, who was found in a forest on Wednesday, sparked violent protests by Palestinians living in Israel.

Palestinians have blamed the attack on far-right Jews, saying it was a revenge attack following the kidnap and killing of three Israeli teenagers last month.

The security source confirmed that police are pursuing a similar line of inquiry, saying investigators believe the Palestinian youth was killed out of “nationalist motives”. The source said six Jewish suspects were in custody, though this number may change as the investigation progresses.

A post mortem is reported to have concluded that Abu Khudair was burnt alive. Palestinians have clashed with police in Jerusalem and Arab towns and villages in Israel in recent days.

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At one such protest, according to footage posted online, Abu Khudair’s cousin Tareq was savagely beaten by police. The 15-year-old US citizen was released from police custody on Sunday morning.

Abu Khudair’s body was discovered the day after the funeral for the three Israeli teens that the Israeli government says were kidnapped and killed by Hamas in the West Bank.

The Israeli government has targeted Hamas sites in Gaza with airstrikes – seen by some as a response to the killing of the three teenagers, though the Israeli government says it is retaliation for rocket fire.

Aircraft attacked 10 sites on Sunday, including rocket launchers and a weapons manufacturing facility, the Israeli military said.

Hamas has not confirmed or denied if it was responsible.