Teacher Shot Outside School in Negev, Denies Recent Disputes

A special education teacher from Hura in the Negev, Orwa Nasser, was shot in the legs on Thursday morning in the school's parking lot, in front of students. Nasser, who has taught in Hura for 19 years, stated from the hospital that he had not received any threats or warnings prior to the incident. He explained that the bullets struck his thighs but did not hit bone or blood vessels, and he is under medical observation without requiring surgery.

Nasser recounted that he was in his car when a masked individual approached, fired several shots at the front of his vehicle, and then shot him through the window. He denied any connection between the shooting and a recently circulated audio recording on social media, clarifying that the recording was old, resolved, and did not represent his current views. He identified the person mentioned in the recording as a "dear brother" with whom he has a good relationship and urged against linking the recording or rumors to the attack.

He further asserted that he has had no disputes in recent months and maintains good relationships within the Negev and other areas, in addition to his work as a teacher and his involvement in legal advocacy and marital arbitration. Nasser sees no reason to connect the shooting to his professional activities and currently has no explanation for the attack. He also dismissed any link to his hometown of Dir Hanna in northern Israel, stating he lives in Beersheba and works in Hura, visiting his family in Dir Hanna only occasionally.

The police have launched an investigation into the shooting, but the motive and perpetrators remain unclear.