Weapons, drugs seized in Negev as Israeli police step up Ramadan security

The raids also come against the backdrop of surging violence in the Israeli-Arab sector.

By Pesach Benson, TPS

The Israel Police confiscated a cache of weapons and drugs in targeted operations in Negev Bedouin communities, which authorities said coincided with final preparations for the upcoming Ramadan holiday.

Raids in the communities of Balqiya, Arar, and Bir Hadaj resulted in the seizure of multiple firearms, ammunition, drugs, and suspicious equipment.

Among the items confiscated were two M16 rifles, four pistols, including Glock and Taurus models, thousands of rounds of ammunition, a MAG-type weapon, an improvised explosive device (IED), cannabis, marijuana, and drone parts.

Authorities also recovered a walkie-talkie suspected to have been stolen from the Israeli Defense Forces and a hydraulic breaker allegedly stolen from the fire department.

Three residents of Lekiya and Arara were arrested in connection with the seizures, and all confiscated items were transferred for further investigation.

“We view shooting incidents seriously and will continue to work to eradicate the phenomenon,” said Rotem Regional Commander Lt. Col. Shashi Shlomo.

“The proactive operational activity against perpetrators of crime and criminal targets who carry out shootings and possess weapons and drugs in the Bedouin diaspora will continue as long as necessary.”

Referring to Ramadan, Shlomo added, “We aim to strengthen the sense of personal security for citizens in public spaces during the holiday.”

The Islamic month of Ramadan begins at sundown on Feb. 17.

The raids also come against the backdrop of surging violence in the Israeli-Arab sector. A triple murder on Tuesday night brought the number of Arab citizens killed in 2026 to 32.

The victims, all residents of the Arab city of Tira in central Israel and in their mid-20s, were traveling together in a car when they were shot at close range near the cities of Kfar Saba and Ra’anana.

The driver lost control and crashed into a passing bus. No injuries were reported among bus passengers.

Police believe the killings were criminally motivated and linked to a blood feud between families. Three suspects, all residents of Tira, were arrested after a manhunt.

The two shootings come amid a continuing pattern of violence in the Arab sector, which saw a record number of 252 Israeli-Arabs murdered in 2025 — more than double the 120 homicides in 2022.

The surge is attributed to organized crime groups fighting turf battles and attempting to eliminate rivals. Arab criminal organizations have been involved in extortion, money laundering, and trafficking in weapons, drugs, and women.

Critics argue the crime wave has worsened since Itamar Ben-Gvir, a far-right politician, became National Security Minister in 2022.

An estimated 40,000 Israeli Arabs and Jews demonstrated in Tel Aviv on Saturday night, calling on the government to take stronger measures against the surging violence.