Hariri Crime Cell Kills Wrong Man in Nazareth Car Wash Shooting

A complex investigation by the Northern District's Emek Unit has solved the murder of 21-year-old Basel Fraoni, who was fatally shot at a car wash in Nazareth on November 22, 2025. The killing was carried out by a hit squad linked to the Hariri crime organization, but it was a fatal case of mistaken identity. The intended target, the business owner, was not present at the scene during the shooting.

Police responded to emergency calls reporting gunfire at the car wash in the Bilal neighborhood, finding Fraoni dead and another person moderately injured. Surveillance footage showed two masked gunmen arriving in a vehicle and firing at close range. Investigators recovered weapons, gloves, a ski mask, and a cloned license plate near the scene.

On May 11, 2026, the first suspect, an 18-year-old, was arrested, followed by two others: a 21-year-old from Jisr az-Zarqa and a 33-year-old from Reineh. The latter two were previously charged in February with the murder of 15-year-old Azmi Graib. The Northern District Police Chief, Meir Eliyahu, assigned the case to the Emek Unit, which has been actively targeting organized crime in the region.

Emek Unit Commander Ran Ofir described the arrest as part of a broader crackdown on criminal organizations, emphasizing that the police will continue to act decisively against serious crime. The Northern District Prosecutor's Office plans to file indictments and request remand for the three suspects on Thursday, marking a significant step in addressing violent crime linked to the Hariri gang.