Night of violence: Four murders in four hours in Israel

(A7) Four people were killed Wednesday night in cities across Israel – all of them in incidents believed to be criminal in nature.

A 40-year-old man was shot dead Wednesday night in Holon. Magen David Adom (MDA) staff arriving at the scene found him unconscious and were forced to declare his death. Israel Police have declared the incident to be criminal in nature, and an investigation is ongoing.

Approximately one hour later, a woman in her 30s was found lifeless in her home in the Bedouin town of Ar’ara Banegev. MDA staff arriving at the scene declared her death, and police have opened an investigation.

Also on Wednesday night, a man was shot in the northern Arab town of Kafr Yasif. Medical teams evacuated him in critical condition to a hospital in Nahariya, where his death was declared.

“Police officers in the Asher Region have begun searching for the perpetrators, while forensic investigators gather evidence at the scene as part of an investigation which has been opened,” a police statement read.

Prior to that, a 25-year-old man was shot dead in Elad, apparently in a criminal incident. That man was found in critical condition in the courtyard between two buildings. MDA paramedics provided the man with medical treatment and evacuated him to Beilinson Hospital, while attempting to resuscitate him. Doctors at the hospital declared his death.

Police have opened an investigation into the incident and are searching for the shooter.

Meanwhile, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir (Otzma Yehudit) will hold a special situational assessment on Thursday with Israel Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai and the heads of the relevant departments.