It was further revealed that the vehicle in which the suspects were riding stopped near the mother and attempted to force the child into the vehicle. The mother struggled with the kidnappers and the boy, Mussa Zalum, managed to escape. Bystanders then arrived at the area and the driver fled the scene.
Police had investigated various motives for Abu Khdeir‘s death, including criminal or personal motives. But officials said they believe Abu Khdeir‘s killers acted out of „nationalistic“ motives.