Woman Killed in Grenade Attack in Northern Israeli Village

A 50-year-old woman from Daliyat al-Karmel died after a grenade was thrown at a restaurant in the village of Kafr Mandi in northern Israel during Shabbat. Four people were injured in the explosion. Paramedics evacuated the victims to Rambam and Italian hospitals in Nazareth. The deceased was identified as Lina Qassem. Two other individuals, a man and a woman both around 50 years old, sustained moderate injuries, and a fourth person was lightly injured.

Following the incident, police and Border Police forces arrested three suspects and located the vehicle used in the attack, which had been hidden. Inspector General of the Police Dani Levy and the district commander visited the scene.

The attack in Kafr Mandi is the latest in a series of violent incidents in the Northern District over the past two weeks. These include fatal shootings, severe injuries from gunfire, attacks on businesses, a police chase resulting in a suspect being shot, a stabbing, and damage to a police vehicle. Indictments have also been filed for serious stabbing incidents in Afula.

Criticism has been leveled against the Northern District Commander, Superintendent Meir Eliyahu, for perceived inaction in curbing crime. Senior police officials reportedly criticize his management of the district, stating he struggles to create deterrence and restore personal security for residents. There are internal police assessments that changes in police leadership, including potentially reviewing Eliyahu's tenure, may occur after the government stabilizes.