Sakhnin Pharmacist Shot After Refusing Protection Payments

Two masked gunmen entered Al-Pharmashani pharmacy in Sakhnin and shot pharmacist Awad Zbeidat, moderately wounding him while his wife and customers narrowly avoided the gunfire. Zbeidat had previously said attackers fired more than 50 bullets at his business after he refused a protection demand exceeding NIS 200,000. Police opened an investigation and had announced no arrest; dozens of residents later marched against violence and in support of Zbeidat.