Crime Syndicate's Hit Squad Mistakenly Kills Wrong Man in Nazareth Car Wash Shooting

Basel Farouni, a 21-year-old resident of Nazareth, was fatally shot in November at a car wash business where he worked. The hit squad, sent by the Hariri crime organization, mistakenly identified Farouni as their target and opened fire, killing him and injuring another person. The original intended victim was the car wash owner, who was not present at the time of the attack.

The police investigation, led by Northern District Commander Meir Eliyahu and the Central Unit of the Emek region, used security footage showing two masked gunmen arriving in a vehicle and shooting at those present. Weapons, ski masks, gloves, and a duplicated license plate used by the assailants were recovered near the scene.

Three suspects have been arrested in connection with the murder. One, aged 18, was detained in May when the investigation became public. The other two, a 21-year-old from Jisr az-Zarqa and a 33-year-old from Reineh, were already in custody, previously charged with the February murder of 15-year-old Azmi Graib amid a violent feud between crime groups. Investigators linked the suspects to the getaway vehicle and reconstructed their movements from Umm al-Fahm.

The prosecution is set to file charges and request detention until trial. Emek Region Commander Deputy Superintendent Ran Ofir warned crime organizations that the police will relentlessly pursue serious offenders and dismantle criminal infrastructures to ensure public safety.