One man dead, two wounded in Rahat shooting; police probe feud between families

A man was shot dead in the Negev city of Rahat on Monday, and two others were wounded, in what police suspect is a criminal feud between families.

Three men were brought to a local clinic with gunshot wounds, according to Israel Hayom. Magen David Adom (MDA) crews evacuated them to Soroka University Medical Center in Beersheba. One of them died of his wounds there. Two others were in moderate condition.

Police opened an investigation and began searches for the suspects, Arutz Sheva reported. No arrests had been announced as of the time the reports were published. Officers are examining the initial suspicion that the shooting grew out of a dispute between families. Police have not publicly described the motive in more detail.

Israel Hayom named the dead man and gave his age as 23. Police had not released those details in the reports available, and ages for the wounded men were reported inconsistently.

Rahat is the largest Bedouin city in Israel, with a population in the tens of thousands, west of Beersheba. Soroka is the main trauma center for the Negev.

Shootings tied to family and criminal disputes have been a persistent problem in Arab communities in Israel, including in the Negev. The police say tackling illegal weapons and organized crime in these communities is a priority. Residents of those communities, who are the main victims, have repeatedly called for more effective enforcement.

The investigation is continuing.