Rare Soviet Grenade Found Amid Rising Gang Violence in Nazareth
A rare Soviet RGD-5 grenade was discovered last month inside a school in Nazareth during a police operation by investigators and detectives from the Emekim district. The grenade, designed in the 1950s and used in numerous conflicts from the Vietnam War to the current Ukraine war, was found wrapped in plastic to protect its firing mechanism. Emekim district commander Deputy Chief Superintendent Ran Ofir explained that this marks the introduction of new types of weapons into the local crime scene, though it is not yet widespread.
The seizure of the grenade is part of a larger surge in weapons confiscations in northern Israel, with police recently capturing 12 handguns, 3 Carlo submachine guns, 5 hand grenades (including three Soviet models), dozens of magazines, and large quantities of loose ammunition in Nazareth and surrounding areas. This escalation reflects a dramatic shift in the local crime landscape, particularly involving the Bakri organization, one of the most powerful and violent groups in the north. The group has been severely weakened following the arrests and indictments of its leader Samir Bakri and others.
The Bakri organization was involved in extortion, arms and drug trafficking, and controlling municipal tenders worth hundreds of millions of shekels. A deadly feud with the Hariri organization five years ago resulted in over 30 deaths. With the Bakri leadership silenced, a power vacuum has emerged, attracting smaller gangs and criminals seeking to expand their influence.
Police have responded with increased manpower and intelligence efforts under the direction of national and district commanders, including elite units operating closely in Nazareth. Ofir emphasized the strategy of removing major crime figures while continuing to target emerging younger criminals. Authorities warn that the fight against crime in Nazareth is ongoing, with constant pressure applied to prevent new criminal elements from gaining a foothold in the city.
