Israeli Crime Boss Matan Arviv Arrested Over Bombing Attempts in Ongoing Gang Feud
A violent gang conflict in southern Israel escalated after a July 2025 convoy of criminals entered Ashkelon, sparking a dangerous feud that continues today. Police suspect Matan Arviv, identified as a crime organization leader, orchestrated a revenge campaign against rival criminals involved in the convoy, employing violent tactics including bombings.
The conflict began on July 10, 2025, when criminals Adam Daps, Yehuda Amzelag, and associates entered Ashkelon aiming to attack Arviv and his men, retaliating for an earlier attempt on a Netanya criminal and his associates. Arviv and his group were absent from the city at the time but were shown hiding in social media videos. Shortly after, Arviv’s associates allegedly attempted to attack Daps and his circle with gunfire and grenade attacks. Those suspects were arrested but released two weeks later due to insufficient evidence.
Following these events, Arviv fled abroad, staying first in Turkish Cyprus and then Thailand. He was arrested weeks ago in a villa on Koh Samui at Israel’s request and deported back to Israel. Upon arrival at Ben Gurion Airport, he was detained for questioning in Hadera on suspicions of threatening an associate of an undercover agent who implicated Arviv’s brother, leading to indictments. Arviv was released under a one-month restraining order barring him from Hadera.
During this restriction, Arviv allegedly planned attacks against Daps and his allies, recruiting several men to form a bomb squad. Police uncovered a bomb weighing about one kilogram planted under a rival’s car, which was defused thanks to precise intelligence. Another bomb attached to Daps’s vehicle in Ashdod detonated on the road after falling off, causing no injuries. Police subsequently removed Daps and his associate from Ashdod for 30 days to prevent further violence.
Arviv and his close associate Beni Motcha were arrested this week on suspicion of planting bombs. Both have exercised their right to silence. Their detention was initially extended by five days and then prolonged by another seven days after police reported investigative progress. Defense attorneys argued for release, but the court denied the requests, citing the need to complete the investigation. Authorities remain vigilant, fearing retaliatory violence and continuing to monitor all involved parties closely.
