Prisoner on Rehabilitation Program Shot Dead Near Maghar

Ayal Al-Hayb, a 37-year-old resident of Tuba Zangariyya, died Friday morning from critical wounds sustained in a shooting incident near the Maghar junction on Route 65 in the Galilee. Al-Hayb was serving an 18-year sentence for manslaughter since 2015 and was participating in a rehabilitation program that allowed him to leave prison for work. He was on his way to a rehabilitation factory in northern Israel, heading to a bus stop near the Tsalmon prison to catch a bus to his workplace, when unidentified assailants opened fire on him at close range.

Paramedics from Magen David Adom attempted to resuscitate Al-Hayb at the scene but declared him dead due to the severity of his injuries. The Israel Prison Service confirmed Al-Hayb was a prisoner in a rehabilitation program and that an initial investigation indicated he was en route to his factory job. Police have launched an investigation into the shooting, describing its background as criminal and conducting searches for the suspects.

The emergency services received the initial report at 6:41 AM. First paramedic Fadi Othman described finding the victim, appearing to be around 30 years old, lying on the sidewalk near the bus stop, unconscious with penetrating wounds. He noted that a bystander had begun resuscitation efforts under the guidance of the emergency center before the medical teams arrived and continued the efforts.