Wave of shootings, grenade attacks in Rishon Lezion sparks fears of mob feud harming civilians

A series of shootings, grenade attacks, and alleged extortion attempts in Rishon Lezion's Narkisim neighborhood has raised fears among residents that disputes involving organized crime groups could endanger innocent bystanders, including children and the elderly.

The string of criminal incidents in recent months has left residents fearing that conflicts between criminal elements and attempts to intimidate businesspeople could ultimately result in innocent people being harmed. Grenades thrown at residential buildings, shootings targeting apartment blocks, and threats against businesspeople have become a source of concern for residents who find themselves, through no choice of their own, living near the scenes of criminal disputes.

Alongside the growing concerns, police have been conducting extensive investigative and intelligence operations to identify those involved and bring them into custody. In one case, investigators gathered enough evidence to file indictments against two defendants in a case linked to a dispute between the Musli and Jarushi crime organizations.

The two defendants, residents of Modi'in and Holon, allegedly operated as hired criminals who received payment to carry out offenses. During the investigation, they were also linked to incidents outside Rishon Lezion, including the torching of vehicles in Netanya and the throwing of a stun grenade at a restaurant in Ramat Gan, which caused panic among those present.

Police operations led to their arrest at a gas station on Route 4, followed by the filing of indictments in connection with the incidents.

Despite these investigative successes, several other incidents remain under investigation, particularly amid suspicions of ongoing conflicts between individuals associated with organized crime groups.

Disputes between the Jarushi and Musli crime organizations

Approximately two months ago, a grenade was thrown at the door of an apartment belonging to the wife of convicted criminal Shlomi Niamchik, who is serving a prison sentence. The incident caused panic among residents of the building and nearby neighbors, who were exposed to a violent attack in the heart of their residential surroundings.

Another incident occurred in the same building overnight between Saturday and Sunday, this time involving gunfire directed at the lobby.

Once again, the shooting caused alarm among neighbors, who fear that the building has become a recurring target for criminal activity and that one of the residents could eventually be harmed.

One line of investigation is that the latest shooting was another attempt to send a message to Niamchik, against the backdrop of his alleged connections to individuals associated with the Jarushi crime organization.

However, police have not established a connection between the incidents and the dispute between the Musli and Jarushi organizations, and investigators are continuing to examine the possibility that the attacks stemmed from a different motive.

The uncertainty is particularly significant given assessments that the two organizations recently reached an understanding that brought about a degree of calm in their relations.

Investigators must now determine whether that relative calm has been maintained or whether individuals behind the recent incidents are seeking to reignite the conflict.

Cryptocurrency debts and alleged extortion of businessman

In another case under investigation in Rishon Lezion, a wealthy contractor of French origin became the target of alleged extortion attempts and threats over financial debts his son reportedly accumulated through cryptocurrency-related activities.

According to suspicions, criminal elements seeking to collect the son's debts decided to pressure his father instead, assuming that his financial circumstances would allow them to extract substantial sums of money.

The father, however, refused to give in to the alleged extortion attempts.

The case involved threats and gunfire directed at his home. Police are working to identify those involved and gather enough evidence to pursue charges.

A separate investigation is underway into another shooting targeting an apartment door in the city, which police suspect was also connected to a criminal dispute.

Investigators are also inquiring into that case to identify those responsible.

'We are working hard'

A source familiar with the investigations told Maariv that police are investing considerable resources to solve the cases and locate those responsible.

"We are dealing with something of a cluster of incidents there," the source said, explaining that many of the cases involve financial disputes and unpaid debts.

"When you look at each incident individually, you see that ultimately it comes down to some financial debt that wasn't paid to one party or another."

According to the source, some of the incidents involve gunfire and property damage intended to deliver threatening messages.

"Suddenly, some idiot shows up on a scooter, fires shots, smashes a storefront window, sends a message, and disappears," the source said.

The source emphasized that despite the succession of incidents, police are working determinedly to solve the cases and bring those involved to justice.

"We are putting in the work there. We are working hard there," the source said.

Police have sought to reassure Rishon Lezion residents that significant efforts are being invested in combating the phenomenon.

According to sources familiar with the details, most of the incidents stem from disputes between criminals or extortion attempts. Police are using intelligence and investigative measures to identify those involved, bring them to justice, and restore calm to the city, long known as Israel's City of Wine.