Israeli police have made several arrests in relation to the murder of Palestinian teenager Mohammad Abu Khdair.
The police said the suspects were Jewish, and told the BBC that Khdair was murdered “because of his nationality”.
A post-mortem suggested that the teenager was beaten and burned alive, following his abduction in East Jerusalem.
His death has caused an escalation of tension in the region, already high after the deaths of three Israeli teenagers.
Hundreds of Palestinian youths have clashed with Israeli police and video footage has emerged of police beating the cousin of Khdair, repeatedly punching him in the head.
Tariq Khdair, a Palestinian-American from Florida, is now under house arrest, with police claiming that he was part of a group who attacked police during the clashes.
The US State Department said it is “profoundly troubled” by the reports of the beating, and called for an investigation.
Spokesperson Jen Psaki said Tariq Khdair, was visited by a consulate official on Saturday.
"We are profoundly troubled by reports that he was severely beaten while in police custody and strongly condemn any excessive use of force," she said.
"We are calling for a speedy, transparent and credible investigation and full accountability for any excessive use of force."