Breaking Update
Israel Police Conduct Massive Raids on Violent Criminals in Negev Arab Communities
Israel Police conducted major raids in Negev Arab communities, including Rahat, Hura, and Lakiya, arresting suspects in a crackdown on violent crime.
Jerusalem, 24 February, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Early this morning, the Israel Police carried out raids in Bedouin Arab towns in the Negev including, Rahat, Hura and Lakiya, on the homes of people suspected of violent crimes and weapons trafficking. Arrests were made; however, the police did not provide any details as to how many were arrested.
This was another step in Israel’s ongoing “war” against violent crime in Arab communities.
The raids came after, over the past year, police conducted what they described as an “extensive” undercover investigation, during which undercover agents were infiltrated into criminal gangs operating in the southern region and the Bedouin diaspora.
The agents operated under a false criminal identity, gained the trust of criminal elements, and collected evidence and findings against dozens of suspects.
As part of the activity, the agents purchased, among other things: 13 rifles, 11 pistols, and magazines — the value of the firearms is estimated at over 1,000,000 Shekels.
