The official says the suspects today were re-enacting the killing of Mohammed Abu Khdeir for authorities. The 16-year-old Palestinian was abducted near his home last week, and his charred remains were found in a Jerusalem forest.
Israel yesterday announced the arrests of six Jewish males in Abu Khdeir's death. Their identities have not been released, and the official spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation was continuing.
Abu Khdeir's death triggered several days of violent protests in Arab areas of Jerusalem and northern Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said today he called Abu Khdeir's father to express his condolences.