2 Arab men killed in separate shootings, taking year’s toll in community to 180

Two men were shot dead in separate incidents in the north and south of the country on Saturday night — the 179th and 180th victims this year in an unprecedented crime wave ravaging the Arab community.

Paramedics responding to a shooting outside a restaurant in Haifa found a man suffering critical gunshot wounds and took him to Rambam Medical Center in the city, according to a Magen David Adom ambulance service statement.

Doctors were forced to declare him dead shortly after arrival. Media outlets identified the man as Edmund Dibi, in his 50s.

Police opened an investigation. According to initial findings, the incident was the result of a feud between families.

Separately, a man was critically hurt in a shooting in the southern Bedouin city of Rahat, MDA said.

Paramedics took him to Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba, where he was declared dead.

Police at the scene of a criminal shooting in Haifa, September 23, 2023. (Israel Police)

Media outlets identified the man as Bashar Abu Zajilah, 18.

Investigators determined the incident was criminal in nature.

The Abraham Initiatives anti-violence advocacy group said the killings were the 179th and 180th cases of Arabs killed in violent circumstances in Israel since the start of the year, compared to 80 during the same period in 2022.

Of those slain this year, 163 were shot dead, the group said.

Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.