# Israeli organized crime violence and assassination

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/israeli-organized-crime-violence-and-assassination
> Updated: 2026-08-25T10:46:38.000Z. Sources: 43. Developments: 2.

Yanis Yushbaev (also referred to as Yushayev), a leader of the Caucasian organized crime group in Israel, was assassinated at a gas station near Caesarea. Surveillance footage showed an assailant approaching Yushbaev from behind and shooting him in the head at point-blank range as he exited a restaurant.

Yushbaev, a resident of Or Akiva, was considered a high-profile figure by law enforcement. While he presented himself as a legitimate businessman, police linked him to various criminal activities, including grenade attacks, shootings, and vehicle arsons. He had previously survived an assassination attempt a decade ago.

The killing occurred during a period of increased organized crime violence in Israel. Authorities have linked a series of thirteen recent attacks to an escalating conflict between the Jewish Mosli and Arab Jarushi criminal families, involving shootings and bombings at Japanika sushi restaurant branches in cities like Herzliya and Netanya. In response to the rising violence, the US Embassy in Jerusalem issued a security alert regarding organized crime threats in Tel Aviv, Jaffa, and Herzliya.

## Claims

- Yanis Yushayev was a leader of a criminal group connected to the Israeli Caucasian Jewish community. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Security cameras captured the assassin approaching Yushayev from behind and shooting him in the head at close range. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Yushayev was allegedly involved in shootings, grenade attacks, and vehicle arsons. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Police linked recent attacks to an escalating conflict between the Jewish Mosli and Arab Jarushi criminal families. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Thirteen attacks were reported within a span of a few days. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The US Embassy in Jerusalem issued a security alert to Americans in Israel regarding organized crime threats. (corroborated by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-25: Yanis Yushayev, Israeli crime leader, assassinated in Caesarea

Yanis Yushayev, a prominent leader of Israel's Caucasian organized crime group, was assassinated in Caesarea. The hit follows a wave of 13 gang-related attacks across the country.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/israeli-crime-leader-yanis-yushvaev-assassinated-near-caesarea

### 2026-08-23: Yanis Yushbaev, Caucasian Mafia leader, assassinated in Israel

Yanis Yushbaev, a notorious leader of the Caucasian Mafia in Israel, was shot dead at point-blank range during a daylight assassination at a gas station near Caesarea.

39 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/yannis-yushbaev-suspected-caucasian-mafia-leader-assassinated-in-israel

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Cite as: Israeli organized crime violence and assassination. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/israeli-organized-crime-violence-and-assassination