Netanya man killed as motorcycle explodes in suspected underworld hit

A man was killed Thursday after his motorcycle exploded in Netanya, in a suspected gangland hit.

The Magen David Adom ambulance service said the man, 31, was riding his motorcycle on a street in the coastal city when it exploded.

He was declared dead at the scene by medics.

Police launched an investigation into the incident, which they said was criminal and not terror-related.

The victim was not immediately identified.

According to the Walla news site, an explosive had been placed on the motorcycle before he got on it.

חשד לחיסול בנתניה: בן 31 נהרג בפיצוץ אופנוע בעיר
(אורלי אלקלעי ו-@hadasgrinberg) pic.twitter.com/I95o8kME6G

— כאן חדשות (@kann_news) May 4, 2023

The deadly blast came a day after five people were killed in a 24-hour span, amid a spike in violent crime that has seen over twice as many people killed in the first four months of 2023 as in the same period last year.

As the deaths mounted, there was no immediate response from National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, the far-right lawmaker in charge of police who campaigned on promises to beef up public safety.

The crime wave has been particularly deadly for the country’s Arab community. 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.