Sakhnin

Residents of Sakhnin face a prolonged wave of crime and random shootings by masked criminals who film their attacks and post them online, prompting fierce criticism of the authorities.

An extortion gang opened fire on businesses in Sakhnin, prompting widespread strikes and protests led by MK Mansour Abbas against government inaction on crime.

Security forces in northern Israel seized weapons including a Kalashnikov rifle, pistols, and a grenade, arresting two suspects in Sakhnin and Nazareth following separate incidents.

Awwad Zbidat, a pharmacist in Sakhnin, was shot and moderately wounded by masked gunmen in his store. The attack follows his refusal to pay over 200,000 shekels in protection money to local criminal organizations.

Two masked gunmen shot and moderately wounded pharmacist Awad Zbeidat inside his Sakhnin pharmacy. The victim had previously refused extortion demands of 250,000 shekels from local crime organizations.

A few weeks after fire was opened at his business, Awad Zbidat from Sakhnin received demands for payment of more than 200,000 shekels. He did not surrender to the extortion, but customers were afraid to come: "I worked day and night to build a future for myself and my wife."