Third murder in 24 hours, National Security Minister remains abroad

Haim Katz was appointed temporary National Security Minister for three months while simultaneously holding the Tourism; Heritage; and Negev, Galilee, and National Resilience Ministries.

 Police crime scene tape (photo credit: Wikimedia Commons)
Police crime scene tape
(photo credit: Wikimedia Commons)

Three men in the Arab sector have been murdered in the past 24 hours, while National Security Minister Haim Katz has stayed in India on a trip to promote tourism, Israeli media reported.

These three murders in The Triangle region of the North add to the four murders in the Western Galilee last week.

Katz was appointed temporary National Security Minister for three months after MK Itamar Ben-Gvir resigned from the position a week ago.

Katz's appointment adds to his already substantial portfolio; he currently holds the Tourism; Heritage; and Negev, Galilee, and National Resilience Ministries. With the addition of National Security, Katz now holds four ministries.

Katz began his eight-day trip to India last Thursday as part of his responsibilities as Tourism Minister and is expected to return on Friday.

 Tourism minister Haim Katz attends the 'victory conference' at the International Convention Center in Jerusalem on January 28, 2024. (credit: Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
Tourism minister Haim Katz attends the 'victory conference' at the International Convention Center in Jerusalem on January 28, 2024. (credit: Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

Sources in the ministry told Ynet that this was considered an important trip designed to increase tourism from India. The goal is to increase tourism by 3 million people a year by 2030.

Officials argued that to cancel the trip would be a waste of public funds.

Victims across the Arab sector

The three victims from the Triangle are from Kafr Kana, Zalfa, and Umm el-Fahm, while last week's four victims were from Acre, Sakhnin, Kabul, and Judeida-Makr.

A suspect in the Kafr Kana shooting was detained for questioning on Monday following a short chase in which the suspect crashed his vehicle into a police car. Police searched the vehicle and discovered a pistol, cartridge, and ammunition.

Police confirmed that the motive in all cases was criminal.


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Police announced on Monday that they had foiled two criminal assassination attempts that day. 

Coastal District Police announced they had detained a man near Baka al-Gharbiya for questioning after the driver failed to stop; he was brought to a halt after police blocked his car. During a search, they uncovered a gun, a cartridge, and a drone, which were seized on suspicion of being used in preparation for a crime.

Lachish Police announced they had detained a man in his 30s from Ashkelon for questioning after they discovered a grenade in his possession. Police believe he was a "contract" assassin and was involved in previous explosive assassination attempts.