Grenade Thrown at Under-Construction Japnika Branch in Hadera Amid Crime Gang Conflict

A grenade was thrown this morning at a Japnika sushi restaurant branch under construction in Hadera, Israel, causing no injuries. Police launched an investigation and collected evidence at the scene, treating the incident as a criminal act. This event is part of an ongoing violent conflict between two organized crime families, the Musli and Jeroushi clans, which has included grenade attacks, shootings, and arson attempts primarily targeting Japnika branches nationwide.

Nearly two weeks ago, police released Issa Wahwah (35) from Lod, a relative of the Jeroushi brothers, to house arrest on suspicion of throwing grenades at locations linked to the Musli family and their businesses. Khaled Hamada (44), also from Lod and connected to the Jeroushi brothers, was similarly released to house arrest. Both have denied the allegations. Days before their release, a series of grenade attacks and other violent acts were reported, mostly against Japnika outlets.

On July 19, police also agreed to place Yossi Musli, head of the Musli crime organization, under five days of house arrest along with three other suspects: Muriel Dadon, Dor Cohen, and Yitzhak Rodef Shalom. All were arrested and then released under these conditions. The escalating gang violence prompted the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem to issue an unusual warning to American citizens in Israel, highlighting the sharp rise in violence linked to the Musli-Jeroushi rivalry.

Japnika's owner, businessman Barak Abramov, is not suspected of any wrongdoing. The ongoing gang war has severely impacted the sushi chain, which appears to be caught in the crossfire of the criminal feud.