Haifa Shooting Leaves Teen Dead as 2026 Violence Toll Reaches 150 in Israel’s Arab Communities

A 17-year-old victim has become the 150th person murdered in Israel’s Arab community in 2026 following a shooting in Haifa, according to Rambam Hospital. Wiaam Faisal, 17, and Jonathan Khouri, 18, died in the attack, while a third young man remains hospitalized in serious condition.

An ambulance driver who happened to be passing by the scene was first on location after civilians signaled for help. The shooting occurred near a neighborhood snack bar in the Ein Hayam area, a known gathering spot that has experienced previous incidents of violence.

Medical teams reported finding the three men unconscious with severe gunshot wounds. “One of the wounded had no pulse and was not breathing. We carried out medical treatment, but unfortunately we had no choice but to declare his death,” teams said. The other two victims received life-saving treatment and were transported to the hospital in serious condition.

The latest violence follows an emergency meeting of senior police commanders called by Commissioner Danny Levi just days ago, after five people were killed in less than six hours across Tayibe, Kafr Qasim, Jaffa, and Holon.

Political criticism has intensified over the escalating violence. MK Ayman Odeh accused authorities of abandoning society and placed responsibility on National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. The Abraham Initiatives organization echoed these concerns, stating that government and police agencies have collapsed and that official silence amounts to permission for continued killings.

Statistics highlight the severity of the crisis: through the beginning of July last year, 128 people had been killed in the Arab sector, while 2024 saw 230 homicides, making 2026 one of the deadliest years on record.

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