Five Killings in Half a Day Prompt Emergency Police Measures in Central Israel

Within less than 12 hours, five murders occurred across central Israel, including in Jaffa, Holon, Kafr Qasim, and Tayibe. The wave of violence began overnight with the fatal shooting of 20-year-old Nasirat in Tayibe, where another young man was seriously injured. Early the next morning, Iyad Arab, 40, was killed in a car explosion in Jaffa, witnessed by his six-year-old son who was moderately injured and hospitalized. Later that morning, a second car explosion in Holon killed a 25-year-old man known to police. Additionally, two men were fatally shot in Kafr Qasim, and a 20-year-old was killed in Tayibe.

In response to the escalating violence and fears of revenge attacks, the Israeli police declared emergency measures, establishing special task forces in Jaffa, Tayibe, and Kafr Qasim. Police Commissioner Major General Danni Levi ordered the immediate mobilization of four reserve battalions. A high-level meeting is scheduled for the following day between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, and Shin Bet chief David Zini to discuss deeper Shin Bet involvement in combating organized crime and halting the murder spree.

Paramedics reported providing advanced medical care at the scenes, including prolonged resuscitation efforts, but victims were declared dead at hospitals. The Jaffa car bombing investigation was transferred to the Central Unit of the Tel Aviv District Police under the direction of District Commander Chief Superintendent Haim Saragrof. These incidents follow a recent shooting in Jaffa last Thursday, where 16-year-old Ahmad Jabari was killed and a 17-year-old was moderately wounded, highlighting a continuing surge in violent crime in the region.