33-year-old man killed in Lod amid violent riots across Israel
"The residents were forced to shoot in the air in front of a crowd that did not care, until they fired in their direction and wounded two of the rioters," a witness told Israeli media.
By IDAN ZONSHINEUpdated: MAY 11, 2021 20:35Violent riots broke out in Ramla last night amid the ongoing violence between Palestinians and Israelis in east Jerusalem.(photo credit: YOSSI ALONI/FLASH90)
A 33-year-old Lod resident and father of three named Musa Malakh Hassuna was shot dead on Monday night on Hahashmonaim Street in the city of Lod, near a large protest by Arab-Israelis demonstrating in solidarity with Palestinians in east Jerusalem and Gaza, as violent riots swept the country, Israel Police reported.Two more people were moderately injured in the incident, including a 20-year-old man.
The Magistrate's Court in Rishon Lezion on Tuesday evening extended until Thursday the detention of the three suspects involved in the shooting incident. Hundreds of Arab residents from Lod protested Monday night, throwing rocks and Molotov cocktails while marching toward the Jewish neighborhood of Ramat Eskhol.Violent riots broke out in Ramla last night amid the ongoing violence between Palestinians and Israelis in east Jerusalem. (Yossi Aloni/Flash 90)Haaretz reported that police suspect that Hassuna and the others were shot by one of the Jewish residents of the neighborhood, after witnesses reported that he and the other shooting victims participating in the riots.
A resident of the neighborhood, Meir Liush, told Haaretz that "the Arab crowd tried to break into the neighborhood; the police did not arrive for many long minutes."
"The residents were forced to shoot in the air in front of a crowd that did not care, until they fired in their direction and wounded two of the rioters," Liush added.
Video uploaded to social media shows people running toward a vehicle with a Molotov cocktail, and then gunshots are heard.Another video shared on social media showed a demonstrator in Lod on Monday night climbing a streetlight, taking down an Israeli flag and replacing it with a Palestinian flag.
The rioters in Lod also set fire to the Maoz pre-military preparatory academy in the city, causing extensive damage to the property, the academy announced on Tuesday. During the incident, Arab rioters disgraced Torah scrolls at the academy as well.Violent riots broke out in Ramla last night amid the ongoing violence between Palestinians and Israelis in east Jerusalem. (Yossi Aloni/Flash 90)
"It could have ended in disaster," said Danny Zamir, the head of the academy. "Fortunately, the students and the educational staff were not present at the preparatory school. This violence will not deter us: We will rehabilitate the place."
Israel police in Ramla-Lod reported that 16 demonstrators were arrested on Monday evening during riots in which around 200 youths arrived to protest solidarity with Palestinians in east Jerusalem. Many were seen throwing stones and bottles and launching fireworks at police and buildings, while also burning trash cans and tires.Dozens of riots were reported in northern Israel as well, with Israel Police reporting on Tuesday morning that they had arrested 67 people for lighting fires and throwing stones. Police intend to request that the arrests be extended.
Border Police arrested five suspects in disturbances and riots overnight Monday at the Qalandiya Crossing and Rachel's Tomb. About 200 suspects threw stones, Molotov cocktails and fireworks at security forces at the crossing and about 300 suspects threw stones, Molotov cocktails and glass bottles at Rachel's Tomb.
A Border Police commander and 10 officers were lightly injured during the disturbances.
Over 40 fires were sparked in terrorist incidents in the West Bank overnight, according to Israel Fire and Rescue Services, including stone-throwing, Molotov cocktails and burning tires.
Many of the incidents occurred along main roads and near settlements.
A firefighting team was caught in riots while extinguishing a fire in the Binyamin district, with stones thrown at their firetruck.
A vehicle caught on fire after it was hit by a Molotov cocktail thrown by Palestinians near Tekoa in the West Bank overnight.
"Judea and Samaria District is prepared and ready in accordance with the orders of the Israel Fire and Rescue Service," said Shiko Bar Dov, commander of the Judea and Samaria District of the Israel Fire and Rescue Services. "The stations are reinforced with additional firefighters, the district command center is reinforced and a redeployment of forces has been made in accordance with operational needs."
Eight Border Police reserve brigades were called up on Tuesday morning to help police handle the violence breaking out across Israel.
