Eight-Year-Old Girl Shot in Suspected Attempted Assassination of Father in Northern Israel

An eight-year-old girl was wounded by gunfire in the Arab town of Deir Hanna in the Lower Galilee, Israel, in an incident believed to have targeted her father. Said Hussein, head of the Deir Hanna local council, told ynet that the girl’s condition remains moderate and stable. The father is suspected to be involved in a local conflict but was reportedly unaware he was the intended target of the shooting.

Hussein described a troubling rise in violence within the Arab sector, including shootings in public spaces and ambushes. He criticized the police response, saying officers arrive in force, secure the scene, and arrest one or two suspects only to release them shortly after. He added that police officials, including the police chief, have acknowledged lacking the tools and manpower to effectively combat this violence, calling for legislative changes.

The council head also addressed comments by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who offered to bring police commanders to Deir Hanna. Hussein rejected this approach, warning against collective punishment of the Arab community and emphasizing that crime is a widespread problem across Arab towns, not just Deir Hanna.

Regarding the government’s plan to involve the Shin Bet security service in tackling violence in Arab communities, Hussein dismissed it as a political move ahead of elections. He questioned whether the Shin Bet would have the community’s consent to operate there and suggested the initiative aims to gain votes rather than solve the underlying issues.

The incident highlights ongoing challenges with crime and law enforcement in Arab localities in Israel, with local leaders calling for more effective and respectful solutions.