Court extends detention of bus driver who rammed into ultra-Orthodox protesters

The court ordered the suspect held until January 15 to allow investigators to complete inquiries into the circumstances of the incident.

The Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court extended the detention of the bus driver linked to an accident that occured on Tuesday night, identified as Fakhri Khatib, which resulted in the death of a 14-year-old boy, Israel Police said on Wednesday.

The court ordered the suspect held until January 15 to allow investigators to complete inquiries into the circumstances of the incident. The hearing concluded shortly before noon, according to police.

Police representatives told the court they sought the extended detention to “exhaust investigative actions” and review evidence before a charging decision. The judge accepted the request for nine additional days. The police said the investigation is continuing.

According to hospital and first responder accounts cited in earlier reporting, the victim was trapped beneath a bus and pronounced dead at the scene. The 14-year-old was identified as Yosef Eisenthal.

Ultra-Orthodox (haredi) protest against draft law in Jerusalem, January 6, 2026. (CREDIT: ISRAEL POLICE)

Investigators are examining videos, witness statements, and the suspect’s account to determine intent and liability, the police said. Authorities have not announced charges.

Three injured in haredi draft protest accident

In addition to Eisenthal, three individuals were injured in the accident, which occured during a haredi draft protest in Jerusalem, where thousands of haredi protesters gathered along Bar-Ilan Street, as well as nearby streets.

“We are deeply shaken by the severe ramming incident in Jerusalem, in which a haredi man was run over and killed during a protest,” the haredi party, Shas, said in a statement following the incident, demanding a “thorough and uncompromising” police investigation.