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crime families

A view of a Japanika restaurant branch owned by businessman Barak Abramov that was damaged in a shooting in Herzliya, central Israel, July 14, 2026. (Tal Gal/Flash90)
July 22, 2026, 6:49 pm
US embassy urges caution among American citizens in Israel amid uptick in organized crime
Warning comes in the wake of an escalating conflict between influential crime families in Israel, which sparked a series of attacks at branches of the Japanika sushi chain
By Nava Freiberg and ToI Staff
Firefighters put out a blaze sparked by a grenade attack on a branch of Japanika in Afula, July 14, 2026 (Screen grab/Israel Fire and Rescue Services)
July 14, 2026, 1:10 pm
Grenade attacks across Israel target sushi chain in escalating feud between crime families
One lightly hurt in south Tel Aviv attack, with several bombings and shootings targeting Japanika, which is owned by Barak Abramov, thought to be tied to Jarushi gang
By ToI Staff
Police and medics at the scene of a double homicide near Ramle, May 2, 2026. (Israel Police)
May 2, 2026, 10:15 am
Two men shot dead in apparent underworld hit in central Israel
Police believe killings are part of a feud between Arab crime families in the cities of Ramle and Lod; in separate incident, man shot dead in Rahat
By ToI Staff
Illustrative: Police carry out searches for the suspected perpetrator of a deadly shooting in Jaffa, November 8, 2025. (Israel Police)
December 1, 2025, 11:18 am
Dozens arrested in early morning police raid of top crime families in Israel, West Bank
Sweep follows year-long operation in which an undercover agent infiltrated the Abu Latif and Hariri criminal organizations to gather evidence on racketeering schemes
By Charlie Summers and ToI Staff
A bloody mattress is seen the morning after a deadly shooting attack in the city of Kafr Qasim which left two dead and one more in critical condition, October 22, 2024. (Screen capture via Ynet, used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)
October 22, 2024, 5:06 pm
Two killed, including 10-year-old girl, in criminal shooting in Kafr Qasim
Police investigating the possibility that the incident, which left victim’s 17-year-old brother in critical condition, is retribution for deadly car explosion in Ramle last month
By ToI Staff
Border police officers walk through the market in Ramle a day after a nearby explosion killed four and injured nine others, September 13, 2024. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)
September 13, 2024, 4:05 pm
Police arrest teen suspect in deadly Ramle blast; 500 cops conduct raids
After 4 killed and 9 injured, residents of Ramle say violence in the city is ‘unbearable;’ local councilman says police unmotivated when it comes to Arab victims of crime
By ToI Staff
Police and medical personnel at the scene investigate the murder of a woman in her 30's that was shot dead, in Lod, July 26, 2022. (Yossi Aloni/Flash90)
July 1, 2024, 9:33 am
Man found shot dead in Pardes Hanna in suspected gang killing
Unidentified man, around 30 years old, discovered near cemetery; MDA paramedics pronounce him dead at the scene
By ToI Staff
An Israeli man identified as Shalom Avitan (C) is escorted by Malaysian police upon his arrival at a court to face charges of possessing six handguns and 200 bullets in Kuala Lumpur on April 12, 2024. (Arif Kartono / AFP)
April 12, 2024, 9:10 am
Suspected Israeli mobster pleads not guilty to firearms offenses in Malaysia
Shalom Avitan could face up to 40 years in prison and at least six strokes of the cane; officials believe he came to hunt down another Israeli over a family dispute
By Reuters
A view of the city of Rahat, in southern Israel, October 30, 2023 (Gianluca Pacchiani / Times of Israel)
November 29, 2023, 11:21 am
Man shot dead in Bedouin village, third murder in Arab community in past 24 hours
Police believe 221st killing in Arab community this year part of ongoing feud between crime families
By ToI Staff
Illustrative: Bomb squad police unit checking a suspicious object, April 27, 2014. (Tomer Neuberg/Flash90)
August 30, 2023, 4:44 pm
16-year old held as suspect in Ramat Gan underworld bombing
Explosion, which caused significant damage to residential building but no injuries, seen as part of turf war between rival criminals
By ToI Staff
Police at the scene of a shooting in the northern town of Kafr Kanna, August 26, 2023. (Flash90)
August 26, 2023, 7:13 pm
Masked gunmen injure 6 family members, two seriously, at home in northern Arab town
In latest brazen criminal attack, gunmen open fire on relatives in yard before fleeing; woman, 29, and man, 55, are gravely hurt
By ToI Staff
Mourners attend the funeral of 66-year-old Salman Halabi in Yarka, northern Israel, August 23, 2023. (Flash90)
August 25, 2023, 12:43 pm
Two more suspects arrested in Abu Snan quadruple homicide
Third suspect was nabbed at airport trying to flee country. All four victims of the killing buried; police discover tunnels under Nazareth used by crime family
By ToI Staff
Illustrative: Forensic examiners investigate the crime scene where a man was shot and killed, in Haifa, July 6, 2023. (Shir Torem/Flash90)
August 24, 2023, 2:50 pm
Man shot dead in northern Israel, in killing likely tied to organized crime
52-year-old victim of drive-by shooting in Kiryat Bialik known to authorities; police also uncover underground tunnel used by mafia in Nazareth
By ToI Staff
Mourners attend the funeral of 66-year-old Salman Khalab in Yarka, northern Israel, August 23, 2023. Khalab was one of four people killed in a shooting in Abu Snan. (Flash90)
August 24, 2023, 1:26 pm
Suspect in quadruple Abu Snan murder nabbed at airport; Shin Bet said to exit probe
Man detained as he apparently tries to flee the country; security agency reportedly determines killings not connected to local politics, leaving case to police
By ToI Staff
Illustrative: The beach in the coastal town of Bat Yam, near Tel Aviv, on April 14, 2018. (Dario Sanchez/Flash90)
June 16, 2023, 12:16 pm
Lifeguard shoots and wounds man on Bat Yam beach after being threatened with knife
44-year-old man taken to Wolfson Hospital after being shot in the leg, is said to be a known criminal
By ToI Staff
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