Israeli accused of killing Palestinian moved to house arrest, greeted by jubilant settlers

An Israeli settler implicated in the killing a Palestinian teenager in the occupied West Bank was released from a detention facility Wednesday and placed under house arrest.

Video posted to social media showed the accused, Elisha Yared, smiling and clapping as he left the detention centre, greeted by fellow settlers who were singing, chanting and dancing in celebration.

Yared – a former aide to a far-right Israeli lawmaker – is one of two settlers suspected of a role in the killing of 19-year-old Qusai Matan during an attack on the Palestinian village of Burqa on Friday.

The main suspect, Yehiel Indore, was initially approved for release on Wednesday, but a decision was made to keep him in custody after video obtained by Israel's Shin Bet security service was shown in a court hearing. The video reportedly contained new evidence against Indore.

Indore admitted to firing his gun, however claimed that he had only fired into the air.

Settlers have framed the killing of Matan as an act of self defence, while far-right Israeli politicians have thrown their support behind the accused settlers.

Yered and Indore received support from national security minister and Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) party leader Itamar Ben-Gvir who released a statement praising the suspected gunman on Sunday. 

"My policy is clear. Anyone who defends himself against rock-throwing should get a medal of honour", the statement read. 

Settler attacks on Palestinians are frequent, with the UN humanitarian agency OCHA having recorded 591 settler-related "incidents" in the occupied West Bank in the first six months of 2023 that resulted in Palestinian casualties, property damage, or both.

Cases against settlers accused of attacks are often closed on grounds of self defence or lack of evidence.