Grandfather of 8-Year-Old Shooting Victim in Deir Hanna Blames Police Inaction Amid Rising Crime

The grandfather of an 8-year-old girl shot in Deir Hanna on Monday night described the village as having become a "crime village," accusing the police of failing to act despite their frequent presence. In an interview on Kan 11's "At Half Past Noon," he recounted that masked gunmen entered his home, fired weapons, and missed him and his son but hit the child. He stated he does not know the shooters and emphasized that his family is not involved in any criminal activity, saying, "We are free people in the whole village, and everyone likes us."

Magen David Adom paramedics who responded to the shooting reported that the girl was evacuated to the hospital in stable condition. Medical staff described her as conscious but suffering from significant penetrating injuries. Earlier this month, another fatal shooting occurred in Deir Hanna, where 50-year-old Mohammad Halaila was killed.

According to data from the Abraham Initiatives organization, the Arab community has recorded 155 victims of violence since the beginning of 2026. The recent shooting incidents highlight ongoing security challenges in Arab localities in Israel. In related news, a 9-year-old girl was fatally shot in Ar'ara, with suspicions that her father accidentally shot her.

The grandfather's statements and the continued violence underscore growing concerns about crime and law enforcement effectiveness in Arab towns across the country.