Two Border Police officers were injured in a ramming attack in Umm al-Fahm early Friday, in which one assailant was killed, while police arrested six residents of the town for their connection to riots during the night.
The riots, in which houses were set ablaze, came in response to a murder that took place in in Umm al-Fahm on Thursday.
The Border Police officers fired towards the car, injuring and arresting two armed suspects. One officer was moderately injured, the other slightly.
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett who was briefed, said “I support the police who are working in difficult conditions for our security.”
The assailants, Umm al-Fahm residents in their 20s, are known to police. One of the attackers, Mohammed Fathi Jabrin, died from his wounds. The other received medical treatment and was detained.
החשוד שנורה למוות באירוע דריסת הלוחמים באום אל פחם: פתחי מוחמד פתחי ג'בארין(אורלי אלקלעי) pic.twitter.com/eKR0Xy3R88
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Public Security Minister Omer Bar Lev commented that Israel Police will “stand strong and not shy away.”
The murder on Thursday was apparently connected to a dispute between two famaiies in the city.
Mohammed Hamza Burgel, 30, was shot to death while driving his car. A passenger was critically injured and was rushed to Emek Medical Center in Afula.
Burgel lost control of his vehicle when shot and hit a truck that was passing on the road.
Several houses in Umm al-Fahm were ignited Thursday night in response to the murder. Police forces, fire-fighters and Magen David Adom teams were rushed to the scene.
Israel Police officers entered a housing complex in the city after receiving a report of a shooting and burning of four housing units and three cars.
During their entry, the police officers were attacked by rioters who were dispersed using crowd control measures.
Two of the residents were arrested during searches conducted at the compound.
Police Chief Kobi Shabtai spoke to one of the injured Border Police officers and praised his “quick, determined response to an attempt to cause you harm.”
“[Friday’s] incident will not deter us in our resolute efforts to stop criminal organizations and violence in the Arab sector,” Shabtai added.
The police chief said he will be sending backups to Umm al-Fahm as the situation in the city worsens.