Israel Police Chief: We will treat quintuple murder 'like terrorism' - report

Five people were killed and one person was moderately injured in a shooting incident in the northern town of Basmat Tabun on Wednesday, according to Israeli media.

"As far as we are concerned, those who committed this murder are terrorists," said Police Chief Kobi Shabtai in response to the incident. "A red line was crossed here."

Israel Police received a report on Wednesday of a criminal shooting incident from the northern town of Basmat Tabun of four people in critical condition and one in moderate condition, four men and one woman. 

MDA medics, who arrived at the scene, tried to give them medical treatment but had to pronounce five people dead and brought one person in moderate condition to the hospital for further medical treatment. 

"This is a very difficult incident. There was a lot of commotion there," MDA paramedic Ofer Vinik said in a statement. "Six people who were injured suffered gunshot wounds to their bodies. We immediately started medical tests, unfortunately, three men and two women showed no signs of life and we had to pronounce them dead. A 49-year-old man who was moderately injured was taken to the hospital in the MDA intensive care van."

"I express deep shock at the violence and bloodbath in Arab society that claimed six more victims today," National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said in a statement. "In recent months, we have obtained for the police quite a few resources and legislation that will help them eradicate murder and we continue to work to pass laws such as the possibility of using biometric cameras that may save lives.

"I will continue to lead steps to eradicate murderous crime in Arab society and provide resources and tools to the police so that they can act and eradicate this horror. I repeat my position that the tool of administrative arrests should be used to eradicate murderous and organized crime in Arab society, but unfortunately, the Justice Ministry prevents the use of this tool. It is worth noting that it will allow the use of restraining orders, and at least on this issue, the minister and Justice Ministry are in agreement."

Police Chief Shabtai surveyed the scene soon after the attack and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir paid a visit to the families of those affected later on Wednesday evening. 

Violence and crime in Arab sectors

According to the Abraham Initiatives, in 2023, 188 Arabs lost their lives due to the wave of violence and crime in Arab sectors. "The Prime Minister must fire the National Security Minister and immediately implement a broad plan to deal with crime in Arab society," they said in a statement. "This is an emergency."

On Wednesday morning, a Haifa man was shot and killed in a daytime shooting in the city.