Three murdered in Nazareth as gangs fight for power
Over 160 people in the Arab community have been murdered in Israel since the start of 2026
Three men were murdered in two separate incidents in Nazareth on Wednesday evening, in what police suspect were gang shootings connected to local power struggles between criminal organizations.
Just after 7 pm on Wednesday, emergency services were called to the scene of a double murder. Paramedics found Nur Nafafa (32) and Nur Khalo (20) shot dead in a car in an apparent gang assassination.
A burning vehicle was found 500 meters (1,640 feet) away, which police suspect was used by the shooter or shooters to flee. Police immediately opened an investigation and began searching the area for suspects.
At 9 pm, emergency services received a call reporting another murder in Nazareth, this time of an unnamed 27-year-old man. The man was still alive when paramedics arrived, but they were unable to resuscitate him and were forced to declare him dead at the scene.
A 20-year-old man was found seriously wounded in the nearby town of Shibli. Paramedics evacuated him to hospital.
Over 160 people in the Arab community have been murdered in Israel since the start of 2026. 2025 was the deadliest year on record for the Arab community in Israel, with 252 murders.