Victims of crime in Israel's Arab community rise to 141

Two young men were killed in separate shooting incidents in the city of Haifa and Reineh early Thursday, bringing the death toll from violent crime in the Arab community in Israel to 141 since the beginning of 2026. Mohammad Abdel Zeidan, a man in his 30s, was shot dead in the early hours in the town of Reineh, near Nazareth. Several others were injured with varying degrees of severity. Hours earlier, 18-year-old Jonathan William Khoury was also killed and two others were seriously wounded in a separate shooting on Hahagana Street in the city of Haifa. The latest incident brings the number of fatalities from violent crime in Arab towns and communities to 10 since the start of the week, amid a spate of reported shootings and vehicle bombings in several areas. According to data, the number of murder victims in the Arab community since the beginning of 2026 has now reached 141. The majority of victims died in shootings. Meanwhile, criticism of the Israeli government and police continues to mount. Human rights defenders and community leaders assess that both parties have failed to take effective measures to combat organised crime, prosecute perpetrators, and prevent the escalating violence. The situation is further compounding a sense of insecurity and a sustained rise in the number of victims.