Man shot dead in southern Bedouin town; woman critically injured in Umm al-Fahm

A man was shot dead Saturday in the southern Bedouin town of Tel Sheva, amid a violent crime wave that has pushed homicides in Arab communities to record levels this year.

The 19-year-old was taken to a local hospital in critical condition, where he was pronounced dead.

Two other people were hurt, with medical officials listing their conditions as light and moderate.

A police statement described the shooting as part of a dispute between criminals and said “a large number of forces” were at the scene and involved in the investigation.

Police also announced the arrest of a suspect for smuggling the vehicle used in the shooting.

In a separate incident Saturday, a woman was critically wounded after being shot in the northern city of Umm al-Fahm. The woman, in her 50s, was evacuated for medical treatment.

Police said they had opened an investigation and that officers were searching for suspects.

At least 171 people have been killed this year during the record-setting violent crime wave in Arab communities, according to figures from the anti-violence advocacy group the Abraham Initiatives.

On Tuesday, the Arab community went on strike as municipal leaders called for the establishment of an emergency committee to fight the relentless crime wave.

The violence has increasingly spilled into municipal politics in recent weeks, with threats and attacks directed against mayors, candidates, other municipal officials, and their families. A mayor candidate in Abu Snan, in northern Israel, was among four people killed in an attack late last month.