A suspect in the confrontation that resulted in the death of a Jewish man during dueling Israeli and Palestinian rallies in California has been cooperative, according to NBC News. The incident, which occurred in Thousand Oaks, California, left Paul Kessler, 69, injured after a physical altercation with counter-protestors. Authorities, however, have not identified the suspect or classified the incident as a hate crime as they continue to gather information on the dispute.

Kessler participated in a pro-Israel rally on Sunday before getting into a physical altercation with counter-protestors, witnesses told the Ventura County Sheriff's Office. According to the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, Kessler was allegedly struck in the head with a megaphone held by a pro-Palestinian demonstrator, causing him to fall backward and hit his head on the ground.

When emergency services arrived at the scene, Kessler was conscious and able to communicate with deputies. The suspect, a 50-year-old individual, voluntarily remained at the scene and was interviewed by deputies. Authorities obtained a search warrant for the suspect's residence and briefly detained him before releasing him.

As of now, no arrests have been made in connection with the case. Sheriff Jim Fryhoff stated that it is not yet clear what led to Kessler's fall, as witness accounts have been conflicting. The sheriff's office has not ruled out the possibility of a hate crime and is urging the public to provide any photos, videos, or tips that could aid in the investigation.

An autopsy conducted on Monday revealed that Kessler's cause of death was a blunt force head injury, and the manner of death was classified as a homicide. However, this classification does not imply wrongdoing, and the determination of whether a crime has been committed will be made by the District Attorney's office.

The FBI is also in communication with the sheriff's office to gather information on the circumstances surrounding Kessler's death. The incident has taken place amidst heightened tensions due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict in the Middle East.

Sheriff Fryhoff announced increased patrols around mosques, Muslim community centers, and Jewish community centers to ensure the safety of both communities during these difficult times. Local officials have urged caution and patience as the investigation unfolds, calling for refraining from jumping to conclusions or spreading rumors.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) expressed condolences for the tragic loss and joined local Jewish leaders in calling for restraint and waiting for the results of the sheriff's investigation. CAIR-LA and the Muslim community stand with the Jewish community in rejecting violence, antisemitism, and Islamophobia.

The investigation into the death of Paul Kessler is ongoing, and authorities are appealing to the public for assistance in gathering more evidence.