Palestinian Citizen of Israel Killed in Shooting in Northern Israel

A 79-year-old Palestinian citizen of Israel was killed in a shooting in Shafa Amr, northern Israel, on Friday, the official Palestinian news agency WAFA reported. His wife and son were also injured in the incident. 

This killing brings the total number of Palestinian citizens of Israel killed this year to 168, including both men and women. The surge in violence is attributed to organized crime and a growing sense of insecurity. 

In 2025, a record 252 people were killed in 218 separate incidents, according to the Abraham Initiatives, a non-governmental organization that tracks violence among Palestinian citizens of Israel, the Palestinian News and Information Agency (WAFA) said in a statement.

The number of deaths has increased roughly fourfold over the past decade. Palestinian citizens of Israel have been organizing protests in predominantly Palestinian towns and villages, accusing Israeli police of complicity and failure to protect their communities. 

They argue that official bodies have neglected Palestinian communities, enabling the conditions that allow violence to spread. The rise in killings has continued since National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir took office in 2023.

The protests and accusations against the Israeli government and law enforcement agencies highlight a long-standing issue of violence affecting Palestinian citizens of Israel. 

The community is demanding more than just action against organized crime; they also want recognition of their concerns and needs. The situation remains a challenge for the Israeli authorities to address effectively.