Police have arrested six minors and one adult in connection with the assault of a passenger on a bus in Tel Aviv over the weekend.

According to police, the incident occurred when a group of minors, some of them identified as foreign nationals from Eritrea and others as Israelis, attacked a bus passenger with punches and kicks after he confronted them about their aggressive behavior. The suspects then fled the scene, leaving the passenger in need of medical treatment.

Immediately after receiving the complaint, officers from the Tel Aviv District Police Station launched an investigation, which included the involvement of the station’s youth unit.

Within a short time, investigators arrested the suspects, who are aged between 13 and a half and 17 and are residents of Holon, Bat Yam, and Tel Aviv.

The group is believed to be affiliated with a local gang known as SSQ, raising concerns about organized youth violence in the area.

Police officers in the Tikva neighborhood in Tel Aviv, after a suspect was arrested for the robbery and death of a 71-year-old foreign worker, May 27, 2025. (credit: Police Spokesperson )
Police officers in the Tikva neighborhood in Tel Aviv, after a suspect was arrested for the robbery and death of a 71-year-old foreign worker, May 27, 2025. (credit: Police Spokesperson )
One of the suspects was initially brought before the Juvenile Court, which decided to release him to house arrest. However, following an appeal by the police to the District Court, the suspect’s detention was extended until June 8.All suspects were expected to have been brought before the court on Sunday for hearings on extending their detention.

Authorities are continuing to investigate the incident and have pledged to take firm action against those responsible.“This type of violent behavior will not be tolerated,” a police spokesperson said. “We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure the safety and security of public transportation users and all residents of Tel Aviv.”

What is SSQ?

SSQ is the nickname of the “Shapira Squad,” presumably after the southern Tel Aviv neighborhood inhabited largely by African-originating asylum-seekers.

The gang consists of children and teens, primarily of African descent, whose parents are asylum-seekers in Israel.The group has been accused of a variety of criminal acts, including but not limited to stabbings, armed robberies, vandalism, drug trafficking, attempted carjacking, blocking streets, and harassing people who are out walking their dogs.

SSQ’s activities have not impacted the majority of Tel Aviv’s residents, but the attacks allegedly come in waves.There is an unknown number of members in the gang, with Shapira residents and local police sources saying that it is believed some members come from other nearby towns and cities, including Hatikva, Neve Sha’anan, Holon, and Jaffa.

Members consist of a handful of young adults, but primarily the gang is composed of kids and teens ages seven to 16.

According to Haaretz, last summer, a tourist from France who was near gang members was stabbed in the back, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down. Most of the assailants were not arrested or charged, as they were largely 13 or 14 years old. The stabber was 15.