Extortion Motive Revealed in Deadly Grenade Attack on Sweet Shop

The motive behind a grenade attack on a sweet shop in the village of Manda, which resulted in the death of Lina Qassem Zeidan, was extortion, according to a report by Kan News. Suspects had reportedly arrived at the shop ten days prior, demanding protection money from the owner. When the owner refused to pay and resisted the threats, the first grenade was thrown. The second attack, which killed Zeidan, occurred yesterday.

Initially, the shop owner did not cooperate with the investigation after the first grenade incident, claiming he did not feel threatened. However, following yesterday's fatal attack, he began cooperating with the police. Four suspects, allegedly linked to the Bakri organization, have been arrested. Two were apprehended on Route 75 near the Kishon detention center, and two others in Ilut. Their detention was extended by seven days, and they are now suspected of murder under aggravated circumstances and throwing an explosive device. Their defense attorney, Tomer Naweh, stated that his clients deny any connection to the incident.

Disturbing footage from the scene shows Zeidan being struck by the vehicle from which the grenade was thrown, then injured by the explosion and collapsing. After the blast, the vehicle is seen reversing to the scene, at which point bystanders began attacking its occupants. Zeidan, a 51-year-old resident of Daliyat al-Karmel, was initially critically injured and evacuated to the hospital, where resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful, and her death was pronounced. Two other individuals sustained moderate injuries, and one person was lightly injured. The business targeted is a sweet shop located in a busy commercial area in the center of the village. Police Commissioner Dani Levy visited the scene, vowing that the police would hold those responsible accountable.