Police and Army Kill 13 Arab Citizens in Israel Since Start of 2026

Thirteen Arab citizens of Israel, aged 18 to 49, have been killed by police and army fire since the beginning of 2026, according to monitoring. January and July saw the highest monthly death tolls, with three fatalities each. The victims hailed from various locations including the Negev, Lod, the Galilee, Jerusalem, Umm al-Fahm, and other areas.

The first recorded death was 35-year-old Mohammed Hussein Al-Tarabin on January 3rd in Tarabin Al-Sanea, followed by 30-year-old Sham Shami in Ibtan on January 9th, and 25-year-old Yousef Abu Juwayed in Abu Juwayed on January 19th. In February, 18-year-old Ahmed Mohammed Hussein Ashqar was killed by Israeli police in Kabul on February 18th. March saw the death of 27-year-old Rafi Abu Tarif from Yarka in the Majd al-Krum area on March 10th, and in May, 47-year-old Ahmed Saeed Al-Naami was killed in the city of Rahat.

July recorded three deaths: 30-year-old Sami Ahmed J Suss in Lod on July 1st, 35-year-old Rami Shalabi in Sulam on July 15th, and 49-year-old Khalil Hamed Al-Rashq in Dahiyat Al-Salam on July 24th. In August, 45-year-old Khalil Al-Awar and 47-year-old Ahmed Al-Awar were killed in a single incident in the Silwan area of Jerusalem on August 23rd. September's fatalities included 30-year-old Alaa Mohammed Musa Mahamid from Umm al-Fahm, killed by police on September 17th, and 30-year-old Omar Hawari from Reineh, killed near Nazareth on September 25th.

Official accounts of the circumstances surrounding these shootings often conflict with those provided by victims' families or local sources. For instance, police stated Alaa Mahamid was shot during a pursuit, while his family claimed he was shot after being handcuffed. Local reports indicated Omar Hawari was killed by police in Yaffa an-Nasra, bringing the total number of Arab citizens killed by police since the year began to ten, according to the "Wafa" list. Many families have questioned police narratives, and in previous cases, investigations into Arab citizens killed by police have been closed without charges filed against officers.

Incidents involving police officers are investigated by the Police Internal Investigations Department (Mahash). However, past decisions by Mahash to close cases have drawn criticism from victims' families and human rights organizations. In May 2026, the Adalah Human Rights Center reported that Mahash closed the investigation into the death of 22-year-old Mehdi Mohannad Salameh Rasheed, killed by police in November 2025, stating no criminal suspicion was found. Rasheed's family disputed the police account, while Mahash maintained officers acted in perceived dangerous circumstances during a vehicle pursuit.