Man shot dead in northern Arab town of Deir Hanna

A young man was shot dead in the northern Arab town of Deir Hanna Friday night, the latest of nearly 80 murders in the Arab community since the start of the year.

Muhammad Hatib, 24, was shot multiple times by unidentified assailants and rushed to a Tiberias hospital in critical condition. He later died of his injuries.

Police launched a probe and said they suspected a criminal dispute had led to the murder.

Arab communities have seen a rising wave of violence in recent years.

This month has seen the killing of Arab journalist Nidal Agbaria, who reported on violent crime in the Arab community and was shot dead in his car in Umm al-Fahm; and the deaths of a 34-year-old mother and her 14-year-old daughter in a brutal shooting in the central city of Lod.

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.