Jerusalem, 31 March, 2026 (TPS-IL) — The Israel Police and Shin Bet (Israel’s anti-terror General Security Service) arrested two Negev residents suspected of involvement in weapons offenses, specifically, the smuggling and distribution of combat means in the area. The two were identified as Maher Abu Haduba, a resident of the Bedouin town Al-Asam, as well as another Israeli citizen, resident of the Bedouin town Bir Hadaj.
The arrests came as part of a joint operation they carried out over the past month.
As part of the investigation of Maher Abu Haduba evidence was gathered substantiating his involvement in weapons offenses, and on that basis, an indictment was filed against him today in the Be’er Sheva District Court.
As for Bir Hadaj, the police said that in the absence of a “relevant criminal offense” and in light of his involvement in significant arms smuggling at the country’s borders and the significant risk posed by his activities to the state’s security and the public, the Minister of Defense signed an order in his matter directing his administrative detention.