Israeli Police Arrest Crime Boss Yossi Musli Amid Escalating Gang Conflict

Over 20 years after Israeli police first monitored crime boss Yossi Musli, he has been arrested again amid a violent feud between two major crime organizations in Israel. Musli, once dubbed "the thug from Hatikva neighborhood," was detained along with three others following a week marked by grenade attacks, shootings, and arson targeting multiple locations across the country, including branches of the Jafnika chain.

The police attribute the recent surge in violence to a conflict between Musli's organization and the Arab Jeroushi family, both powerful and wealthy crime groups. Police intelligence officers reportedly met with Musli days before his arrest, urging him to "calm the situation" or face "aggressive measures." Musli denied involvement, stating he could not control the unrest.

The conflict has spread across cities such as Givatayim, Ramat Gan, Herzliya, Afula, and Haifa, with attacks on Jafnika outlets and explosions in Tel Aviv and surrounding areas. Police suspect the violence is linked to a dispute over tens of millions of shekels in cryptocurrency funds. Barak Abramov, owner of the Jafnika chain, is believed to be uninvolved in crime but was targeted due to perceived ties to the Jeroushi family.

Veteran investigator Nissim Daudi described both organizations as hierarchical and highly organized, with orders for violent acts coming from top leadership. Musli's group, originating in the late 1990s in South Tel Aviv, controls extensive illegal activities including gambling, extortion, and loansharking. The Jeroushi family rose to prominence following the weakening of Jewish crime groups, filling a power vacuum.

Musli's criminal history dates back nearly three decades, including a violent robbery in 1998 and subsequent prison terms. Despite arrests and convictions, his organization has maintained influence through substantial financial resources. Police have been monitoring Musli closely since 2004, but internal leaks have hampered efforts.

The recent arrest followed a series of violent incidents that police say require a combined operational and intelligence response to prevent further bloodshed. The court extended the detention of Musli and his associates, demanding stronger evidence from investigators. Experts warn that without decisive government-backed action and increased resources, the ongoing gang warfare could escalate further.