Woman Killed in Kafr Manda Bombing, Suspects Arrested

A 51-year-old woman, Lina Qassem Zidan, was killed in Kafr Manda on Saturday when a fragmentation grenade was thrown at a sweets shop, injuring four others. Video footage published Sunday shows the victim was first struck by a car before the explosive was detonated. The car then returned to the scene, where attempts by bystanders to stop it were unsuccessful. Zidan, originally from Kafr Manda and a resident of Daliyat al-Karmel, sustained critical injuries and later died at the hospital. Two others suffered moderate injuries, and a fourth had minor wounds.

Eyewitness Jad Zidan reported hearing a loud explosion and seeing the car move forward and backward while residents tried to stop it by throwing stones. The Israeli police announced the arrest of three suspects in connection with the crime, including the suspected driver of the car. A vehicle believed to be linked to the incident was also seized. Inspector General of Police Dani Levi visited the scene, vowing to pursue those responsible and noting the tragedy of a woman killed while buying sweets for her family.

The head of the Kafr Manda Local Council, Ali Khader Zidan, condemned the incident, warning of recent attempts to impose protection rackets in the town. MK Maha Karkabi Sabah of the National Democratic Assembly criticized the police and state institutions, stating their responsibility extends to preventing crime, not just prosecuting perpetrators. This incident brings the number of murder victims in the Arab community in 2026 to 183, amid ongoing criticism of the authorities' failure to combat organized crime and violence in Arab towns.