Thrown, picked up and tried again: The indictment regarding the grenade at Japanika in Kiryat Ono
Two young men from Bat Yam, aged 18 and 22, are accused of throwing a fragmentation grenade several times at the Japanika restaurant in Kiryat Ono until it exploded, causing heavy damage. The two arrived masked on electric bicycles, and one of them is also accused of obstructing the investigation.
The Tel Aviv District Attorney's Office has filed an indictment against two young men from Bat Yam, aged 22 and 18, for throwing a grenade at the Japanika restaurant. They are charged with conspiracy to commit aggravated assault, causing damage with explosive material, and carrying and transporting a weapon. One of them is also charged with obstructing an investigation. The motive for the acts was not detailed in the indictment.
According to the indictment filed by attorney Tamar Teitelbaum to the Tel Aviv District Court, on or about July 13, 2026, the defendants conspired to throw a fragmentation grenade at the Japanika restaurant located on Kiryat HaAkademik Street in Kiryat Ono.
Equipped with a Sur-Ron electric bicycle and a No. 26 Model B fragmentation grenade, the defendants traveled from Tel Aviv toward the restaurant dressed in black hooded sweatshirts. Upon arrival at approximately 02:03, they wore their hoods to disguise their identity. At that time, the restaurant was lit, with an employee inside and two other people nearby.
"The defendants stopped in front of the restaurant and for several minutes threw the grenade together again and again toward the restaurant, with the intent to cause mutilation, disability, or serious injury to those present at the scene."
After the initial throw failed to detonate the grenade, one of the defendants picked it up with his sleeve-covered hand and threw it again. The second defendant then picked it up from the floor and threw it once more. Finally, after being passed between them, the grenade hit a sign near the restaurant and exploded, allowing the defendants to flee.
As a result, the restaurant suffered approximately 78,718 NIS in damages, and nearby storefronts sustained 51,330 NIS in damages. During his arrest, one of the defendants intentionally locked his seized mobile phone while in the police car to obstruct the investigation. Given their criminal records, the prosecution has requested that they remain in detention until the end of the proceedings.
