Three Arab Israelis Murdered in Suspected Gangland Hit

Three young Arab Israelis, including two brothers, were found murdered and burned in a car near Highway 6 in central Israel early Sunday morning. The victims have been identified as cousins Yazin (17) and Qassem Odeh (20) from Jaljulia, and their cousin Yahya Bassi (22). The three were discovered in the back seat of a burnt-out vehicle located in an open area between Baqa al-Gharbiyya and Jatt. Police suspect the murders occurred in a different location, possibly Jaljulia, before the bodies and car were set ablaze.

Family members expressed shock and grief, stating the victims were good young men with no known enemies. One uncle lamented the rising violence, saying, "Children have started killing," and criticized the police for their slow response, noting that authorities had not contacted the family even when the three were initially reported missing. Another relative expressed disbelief, stating, "I don't believe it's happening, because the family never caused problems." The father of Yahya Bassi shared that his son was a hardworking and kind individual who had been at a wedding the night before.

The motive for the killings is believed to be criminal. Police have deployed significant forces and launched an investigation, with a police helicopter also seen in the area. No arrests have been made yet. The victims' father, Azem Odeh, tragically drowned at Caesarea's beach in 2009, an incident that also claimed the lives of two other men who attempted to rescue him. At the time of his death, Yazin was an infant and Qassem was three years old.