2 killed, 1 seriously hurt in separate shootings in north

A man was shot and killed and another seriously wounded in the northern town of Kafr Qara on Friday evening, police and medics said, the 147th member of the Arab community killed this year in an unrelenting crime wave.

Police said officers were at the scene investigating the killing.

Magen David Adom medics said they found one man in his 40s already dead at the scene and another in serious condition who was taken to hospital after being treated at the scene.

Media reports identified the man as Rami Asli.

Hours later, a man in his was shot dead in the northern town of Zarzir. He was later named as Raed Grifat, 23,

Police launched an investigation into the shooting, which they said appeared linked to a dispute between criminal organizations.

נרצח שני בחברה הערבית בפחות מיממה: ראאד ג׳ריפאת, בן 23, תושב זרזיר נורה הלילה למוות ביישובו. אמש נרצח ראמי שאקר עסלי, גם הוא מירי, בכפר קרע@GLZRadio pic.twitter.com/nLvdrlfYX3

— אדם פרג׳| Adam faraj| آدَم فَــرَج (@Adamfaraj14) August 19, 2023

According to the Abraham Initiatives, an anti-violence watchdog, a record-high 148 members of Israel’s Arab community have been killed as a result of violent crime since the start of 2023 — more than double the toll at this time last year.

The killings are part of a violent crime wave that has engulfed the Arab community in recent years. Many community leaders blame the police, who they say have failed to crack down on powerful criminal organizations and largely ignore the violence. They also point to decades of neglect and discrimination by government offices as the root cause of the problem.

The Israel Police said Thursday that its officers had arrested 85 suspects and detained an additional 48 people for questioning in a large operation aimed at cracking down on violent crime in the Arab community.

Police said they carried out raids over a 24-hour period and managed to seize 18 pistols, three M16 rifles, two airsoft guns, an improvised explosive device and a range of ammunition, as well as around NIS 1.5 million ($400,000) in cash.

“The Israel Police will continue its uncompromising fight against the main crime perpetrators in order to strengthen the public’s sense of security,” said Shmuel Sharvit of the Intelligence Department, noting that the operation included thousands of officers and Border Police officers.

Police commissioner Kobi Shabtai participated in the operation as well, joining officers during raids that took place in the central town of Lod.