Within less than a week, three Palestinian men were killed by fellow Palestinians in acts of revenge, gang activity and a possible contract killing. Palestinians, especially in Jerusalem, have voiced serious concerns about the collapse of social order and ensuing chaos.

Khalil Assali, the publisher of the Jerusalem-focused news site Akhbar el-Balad, told Al-Monitor that Israel doesn’t care about what happens in East Jerusalem and the Palestinians are unable to stop the killings. “Some of the killings are often struggles over land or at times over petty issues, while in other cases there are clear signs of contract killings,” Assali said.

He pointed out that there are a lot of weapons in Jerusalem as well as criminal activity by both Jewish and Palestinian citizens, all of whom have plenty of personal weapons. “Drugs are also part of the problem. Thugs are running the city and blackmail is rampant. Israeli police are aware of everything and they do not get involved. National and Islamic forces are also apathetic, they care only for their own,” Assali added.

Hijazi Risheq, who heads the East Jerusalem Merchants Committee and is the secretary of the Jerusalem Chamber of Commerce, told Al-Monitor that the recent incidents pose more questions than answers. “Where do the weapons used for these murders come from? Who benefits from the breakdown of the Palestinian social fiber?”