The victims, all residents of the Arab city of Tira in central Israel and in their mid-20s, were traveling together in a car when they were shot at close range near the cities of Kfar Saba and Ra’anana. The driver lost control and crashed into a passing bus. No injuries were reported among bus passengers.

Magen David Adom (MDA) paramedics arriving at the scene found the three men trapped inside the vehicle, all suffering from severe gunshot wounds.

“The three men were in their vehicle unconscious, without a pulse and not breathing, with injuries to their bodies,” said MDA paramedic Liad Agi. “We performed medical examinations, but unfortunately their injuries were significant and we had no choice but to pronounce them dead at the scene.”