A violent assault in Akko's Old City over the weekend has drawn widespread attention after the victim was identified as a bereaved father who lost his daughter in the October 7 massacre at the Nova music festival.
Israeli police announced Thursday that the incident occurred last Saturday when the Haifa resident was walking his dog through a public area in the Old City. During the walk, his dog encountered another dog, leading to a verbal confrontation between the owners. The owners of the second dog claimed their animal had been attacked by the victim's dog. Within moments, the argument escalated into a severe physical assault, with two men beating the older man repeatedly across his body, causing injuries.
Police from the Akko station in the Asher district responded immediately to the initial report of the violent incident and launched an urgent investigation. Given the severity of the attack and the victim's sensitive background, the station's investigative and intelligence units were mobilized for rapid operational activity aimed at quickly identifying and apprehending those involved in the assault.
Within a short time. police succeeded in uncovering the full identities of the two suspects in the attack, men in their 20s who are residents of Akko's Old City.
In the early morning hours, combined operational forces, including detectives from Akko station, fighters from the undercover Yamas unit, Special Patrol Unit teams, and police patrol officers, raided the suspects' homes in the heart of the Old City. The forces arrested both men and transferred them for intensive interrogation at the police station. Following their questioning, and given that this was a serious case of public violence, both were immediately detained.
According to investigative needs and evidence gathered by Akko station investigators, the two men were brought before a court for a remand hearing. Police requested that the suspects remain behind bars to complete additional investigative procedures, and the court granted the request, extending their detention until September 7, 2026.
Police spokespersons emphasized following the arrests that Israel Police will continue to show zero tolerance toward any manifestation of violence and thuggery in public spaces, and will act decisively, using all available means, to bring lawbreakers to full justice.
