Nazareth: A Palestinian citizen of Israel on Tuesday evening was killed in a shooting in Nazareth. The victim was identified as a 61-year-old father of four.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, this incident brings the total number of Palestinian citizens of Israel killed since the beginning of 2026 to 81. This number includes three individuals killed by Israeli police fire, five women, and three minors under the age of 18. Since the start of April 2026 alone, seven Palestinian citizens of Israel have lost their lives.
The recent surge in violent deaths follows a record year in 2025, during which 252 people were killed in 218 separate incidents. This data has been provided by the Abraham Initiatives, a non-governmental organization that tracks violence among Palestinian citizens of Israel.
In response to the escalating violence, Palestinian citizens of Israel have organized protests in predominantly Palestinian towns and villages. These protests are directed against the rising violent crimes and accuse Israeli police of complicity and failing to protect their communities.
Over the past decade, the number of deaths among Palestinian citizens of Israel has increased roughly fourfold. Palestinians assert that their demands go beyond addressing organized crime, accusing the Israeli government and law enforcement agencies of neglecting their communities and, in some cases, enabling conditions that allow violence to spread.
The rise in killings has persisted since National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir took office in 2023. Ben Gvir has a history of convictions related to incitement to racism against Arabs, adding another layer of complexity to the ongoing crisis.