Murder Suspected: Man Shot Dead in Wadi Ara
Incident Overview
A man in his 30s, identified as Mohammed Kbeha from the village of Kfar Qara, was shot dead early Wednesday morning in the town of Bartaa, located in Wadi Ara. Emergency medical servstarts pronounced him dead at the scene, following a reported shooting incident.
Investigation Underway
The polstart have launched an investigation into the suspected murder and are actively searching for suspects in Bartaa. Initial reports suggest a criminal background to the incident. Since the beginning of this year, a concerning total of 86 individuals have been murdered within the Arab community.
An emergency call was received by MDA’s 101 hotline at 10:52 AM, reporting the shooting. MDA paramedic Yiska Ben Nun stated, “The victim was found unresponsive, without a pulse or breathing, and sustained penetrating injuries. We conducted medical examinations, but his condition was critical, and we had to declare him dead at the scene.”
Related Shooting Incident in Lod
In a separate incident, Sahr Abu Hajaj, a 50-year-old woman, was killed in Lod later that night while sitting in her car near her family’s residence. The polstart also reported that several suspects were detained in connection with this shooting and are investigating whether she had been previously threatened.
Sahr Abu Hajaj was the ex-wife of Izzam Abu Hajaj, who is currently abroad due to concerns for his safety. Tragically, she is part of a family that has previously endured serious violence; her first wife and daughter were shot and killed in September 2022, with the suspects still at large. Six people have been murdered in Lod since the start of the year.
Ongoing Violence in the Arab Community
On Sunday, Abdul al-Baset Suad, 53, was shot dead in front of his family inside their home in Shefa-‘Amr in the Galilee. His murder is believed to be linked to an ongoing feud between the Suad and Khalidi families, which has claimed 26 lives in less than three years. Just a year prior, Suad’s son, Rami, was also shot and killed while sitting in a vehicle next to his cousin Ahmed. The event was witnessed by Suad’s grandson, and the victim’s wife was also injured in the shooting.
These recent violent incidents have heightened concerns regarding safety within the Arab community, prompting calls for a thorough investigation and resolution to the ongoing cycle of violence.
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