Man Killed in Car Bomb Blast in Northern Israel

A man has been killed in a car bomb blast in northern Israel on Tuesday, Israeli police have reported.

While police have attributed the blast to criminal activity, it occurred amid a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. Continued fighting between the IDF and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon is threatening the ongoing US-Iran talks.

Israel’s national emergency service, Magen David Adom (MDA), said medics were dispatched just before 4 PM local time after receiving reports of a vehicle explosion. The victim was found unconscious inside the car and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Video released by MDA shows firefighters hosing down the charred wreckage of the vehicle after the blast.

Earlier footage shared on social media appeared to show the same car engulfed in flames, with its horn blaring.

Israeli police said they believe the bombing was linked to gang violence within the country’s Arab community.

The victim was identified as Rabee Abu Haikal, who allegedly had ties to a local gang and a criminal record, according to the Times of Israel.

The incident follows a string of similar attacks in recent weeks. Two separate car bombings on Sunday killed one person and injured two others, while at least three more people were killed in similar blasts earlier this month.