5 Arab Israelis shot dead at car wash

Five Arab Israelis were shot dead at a car wash in the north yesterday, police said, amid the worst crime wave in years to hit the minority sector.

The shooting brought the number of Arabs killed this year to 96.

In response, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel's internal security agency Shin Bet would now help the police to tackle rampant criminal activity in the community.

Police said the shootings took place at Yafia, an Arab town just west of Nazareth, and a statement said forces were searching the area for suspects.

Speaking from the scene of the killings, police spokesman Eli Levy told public broadcaster Kan that "one person or more" opened fire at a group of men at a car wash.

Levy avoided giving more information as the investigation was ongoing.

Experts say Arab gangs have amassed large quantities of illegal weapons over the past two decades and are involved in drugs, arms and human trafficking, prostitution, extortion and money laundering.