A woman was murdered in her home in central Israel on Monday, one of several killings in recent days that have fueled growing criticism of National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Israel's handling of violent crime.

The victim, in her 40s, was allegedly stabbed by her partner, who later barricaded himself on the roof of their building and threatened to jump. Police said a negotiation team is currently engaging with the suspect. An investigation has been opened.

The murder was one of five reported since Sunday, including two fatal shootings early Monday in central Israel and the discovery of a woman and her 13-year-old son dead in a burned apartment. Since the start of the year, 121 people have been murdered in Israel, including 15 women.

In Netanya on Monday morning, a man in his 30s was shot, and Magen David Adom emergency services reported that he had been wounded in a fight. According to a police source, the victim was known to police and had prior convictions for violent offenses, extortion, and robbery, for which he had previously served prison time.

Earlier, in Lod, Noor Moussa, a man in his 20s, was also shot and killed, and another man, aged 25, was moderately wounded.

Moussa, who was not known to police, was shot while riding a motorcycle, reportedly as part of his job as a delivery courier. Police suspect it is the result of a local feud between criminals in the city, and they are investigating if Moussa was the intended target or not.

Three suspects in their 20s were arrested Monday morning in connection with the murder. Police said they would request an extension of their detention, though two of the suspects were released shortly afterward.

On Sunday, a 51-year-old woman and her 13-year-old son were found dead in a burned apartment in Modi'in. Police suspect [that] she killed her son and then took her own life, though other leads are being examined.

MK Meirav Ben-Ari (Yesh Atid) addressed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on X (formerly known as Twitter): "What did you think would happen when you appointed a criminal as national security minister? That there would be calm? That he'd show everyone who's 'the boss'? Not a single criminal respects him, and your citizens are paying the heavy price."

She added that "the police force is paralyzed and crippled, most appointments are sycophants, lacking knowledge and professionalism."

Leader of The Democrats Yair Golan issued a similar rebuke on X (formerly known as Twitter): "Another day and a half in Israel — another five murders. No governance, no security. From every sector and community, no citizen is safe … This is what a country looks like when the minister in charge of police is a convicted criminal, an avowed racist and Kahanist — all under the direction of the prime minister."