Thirty-four arrested in lower Galilee raid after four injured in grenade incident

Eyewitnesses at the scene reported that the explosion, which occurred before the gunfire, was followed by a drone flying over the area.

Thirty-four suspects were arrested in overnight raids in the Lower Galilee town of Kafr Kanna following a violent incident in which four people were injured, Israeli police said in a statement on Sunday.

Police did not immediately release the identities of the detainees or say how many weapons, if any, were seized during the searches. Authorities said the arrests were linked to recent shooting incidents and other violent episodes linked to the ongoing conflict.

Eyewitnesses at the scene reported that the explosion, which occurred before the gunfire, was followed by a drone flying over the area, from where a grenade was allegedly dropped on those present. Large police forces arrived shortly after and began an investigation.

Initial findings indicate that the event represents an escalation in the ongoing violent conflict between the Awada and Taaha families, who live in the town. Sources from Kafr Kanna interviewed by N12 stressed that, despite a recent ceasefire agreement (“Hudna”) concluded between the parties, the calm has been disrupted in recent days.

It appears that Saturday’s events are a direct continuation of an escalation that began on Friday, when former council leader Youssef Awada reported that unknown assailants had shot at his home while he was there with his family.

Magen David Adom (MDA) teams, called to the scene, provided lifesaving medical treatment to the four victims, who suffered serious penetrating injuries. Among the injured were a man in his 30s, whose condition was described as critical but stable, and three other people in moderate condition: an 18-year-old woman, a 40-year-old woman and a man aged around 80. All victims were evacuated to receive medical treatment at the Tzafon Medical Center near Tiberias and the Italian Hospital in Nazareth.

“We arrived at the scene in coordination with the police force and found the victims suffering from shrapnel and gunshot wounds,” said MDA paramedic Anas Awada, who treated the victims at the scene.

“We provided them with prompt treatment including stopping bleeding and dressings, and evacuated them to hospitals while they were conscious and in stable condition.”

Sharp increase in Arab-Israeli crime in 2026

Violent crime has sharply increased in Arab-Israeli communities, with nearly 50 people killed in this area since the start of 2026, according to Abraham Initiatives, an NGO that promotes social inclusion and equal rights for Israeli Arabs.

Last year was the deadliest year yet for the Arab sector in Israel, according to a December report from Abraham Initiatives.

Crime rates have recently led to protests across the country, against the government and police’s handling of the situation.

Keshet Neev contributed to this report.