Four murders within hours in Arab towns in Israel

Four people were killed overnight and at dawn on Thursday in separate shooting incidents in Arab towns in Israel, within about eight hours. The killings are the latest in a continuing rise in violent crime in the Arab community, amid accusations that Israeli police have failed to act effectively and have been complicit with organised crime gangs.

At dawn on Thursday, the body of 22-year-old Mukhtar Abu Mdeghim was found inside his vehicle in the city of Rahat. He had been shot dead. He was the son of the former mayor of Rahat.

His father, Ata Abu Mdeghim wrote on Facebook: “Mukhtar, my son, was killed by treacherous bullets. God is sufficient for us, and He is the best disposer of affairs. May God have mercy on you, my son, and grant you the highest place in Paradise. The condolence gathering will be held at my home in the Al-Ansar neighbourhood in Rahat. To God we belong and to Him we shall return.”

A few hours later, another shooting took place in the village of Yarka, where a 41-year-old man was shot. Paramedics confirmed his death at the scene.

In the city of Lod, a man in his fifties was also shot dead.

Late at night, Mohammed Qassem, 47, was killed in a shooting in the town of Fureidis, bringing the total number of victims to four within eight hours in the Arab community.