According to the Israeli Police, two men ages 22 and 35 were shot and killed during an altercation in the Arab city. Media reports identified them as Taher Abdallah and Omer Su’ad, both local residents.

The police said a third victim, 18, was seriously injured.

Security footage from the scene posted on social media showed two men on a motorcycle riding up to a building and opening fire. One gunman got off the motorcycle, and ran off the screen. Another man running out of the building was shot. A fourth man came out of the building firing as the gunman ran out but failed to get on the motorcycle as the driver drove off, also firing.

The police said the shooting stemmed from a criminal conflict.

The latest deaths brings to 61 the number of Israeli-Arabs killed in Arab sector homicides in 2024. Of that number, 54 involved guns.

In 2023, a record number of 244 Israeli-Arabs were murdered, more than double the 120 homicides in 2022, according to the Abraham Initiative, a non-profit organization that promotes Arab integration into Israeli society.

Last year’s spike in violence is attributed to organized crime groups fighting turf battles and trying to eliminate rivals. Arab criminal organizations have been involved in extortion, money laundering, and trafficking in weapons, drugs and women.

Image - Israel Police