Man shot dead in north in suspected revenge killing for gangland double killing

Resident of Bi’ina, 40, found lying on roadside of Route 85, close to Sheva Junction, a day after two men were gunned down in the Arab Israeli village

By ToI Staff 27 February 2023, 9:33 am 1 Edit

Screen capture from video of the the scene where a man was found dead next to Route 85, February 27, 2023. (Channel 13. Used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)

A man was found lying dead next to a road in the north of the country Monday morning with apparent gunshot wounds in what police reportedly suspect was revenge murder for a double killing in the area the day before as rival crime families feud.

A wave of deadly violence in the Arab community has claimed the lives of 18 members since the beginning of the month.

Channel 13 identified the slain man as Ahmed Titti, 40, a resident of Bi’ina. He was found next to Route 85 close to Sheva Junction, near the city of Karmiel.

The Magen David Adom emergency service said medics who arrived found the man unconscious with “penetration wounds” and declared him dead at the scene.

Police opened an investigation and suspect the shooting was revenge for two men from Bi’ina who were shot dead on Sunday, Walla reported.

Shots were fired at the pair in the nearby Arab town of Dir Al Assad. One was declared dead at the scene and the other died in the hospital of his injuries. Two suspects were later arrested by police.

According to police, that shooting was related to a dispute between criminal organizations, Ynet reported at the time. The long-running feud has already cost the lives of at least 16 people over the years.

According to the anti-violence campaign group the Abraham Initiatives, 26 Arabs have been killed by violence and crime since the start of the year. Of those, 24 were Israeli citizens, and two were Palestinians from East Jerusalem or the surrounding region.

One of those who died was injured last year but died of his wounds in 2023.

By comparison, in the same period of 2022, there were 15 deaths among Arabs.

Arab communities have seen a rising wave of violence in recent years. Many blame the police, who they say have failed to crack down on powerful criminal organizations and largely ignore the violence, which includes family feuds, mafia turf wars, and violence against women.