Israeli cop murdered by Arab gun smugglers

Israeli police officer shot to death in northern Israel while in pursuit of Arab criminals.

By World Israel News Staff

An Israeli police officer was shot and killed by members of an Arab gang Sunday night while pursuing criminals in northern Israel.

The incident occurred after 10 p.m. in the Wadi Ara region on the outskirts of the Arab village of Zalafa, near the Israeli Arab city of Umm al-Fahm, when Israel Police officers from the local station were dispatched to intercept members of an Arab organized crime syndicate suspected of smuggling firearms.

Information obtained by police suggested the gang in question was in the area, illegally transporting guns.

As part of a larger crackdown on gunrunners, detectives were sent to locate a weapons cache and apprehend members of the gang.

During the operation, officers located the firearms and intercepted a number of weapons smugglers, sparking clashes.

The gang members attempted to flee on ATVs while firing at officers.

“Shortly after 10 p.m., a team of detectives from the Umm al-Fahm police station were active in the Wadi Ara district, [operating] based on intel as part of the Israel Police’s campaign against gun smugglers in the area,” police spokesman Aryeh Doron said Monday morning.

“The team of detectives spotted the weapons and confronted the gang in an attempt to apprehend the criminals and seize the firearms.”

During the arrest operation, however, “a gun battle broke out, during which one of the officers was shot. Unfortunately, he was declared dead at a hospital.”

The slain officer was later identified as detective Niv Peretz, a 28-year-old resident of the northern Israeli town of Afula.

“A friend [of his] called my oldest son, [telling him that] he was wounded,” Peretz’s mother, Tikva, told Yedioth Aharonoth. “My daughter-in-law told me he was wounded. We tried to find out where they were taking him; they told us HaEmek [Hospital].

“I just went there, by myself; there were so many people waiting there; so many people, friends [of his]. They treated him, tried to save him, but failed. It is a great loss.”

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir offered his condolences in a statement Monday morning and vowed that police would bring the gang to justice.

“Niv sacrificed his life for the security of Israel’s citizens, and his heroism will not be forgotten. The entire people of Israel mourn his passing and extend strength to his dear family in this difficult hour.

“To the criminals and offenders I say: Know this — the blood of a police officer will not be forsaken. We will pursue you relentlessly, we will hold you fully accountable, and the law will reach you wherever you try to hide.”