Police Seize Weapons Cache in Bedouin Town, Arrest Eight

During a series of police raids in the Bedouin town of Ar'ara al-Naqab in southern Israel, authorities uncovered a significant cache of weapons and ammunition. Eight suspects were arrested in connection with the findings, which included four Glock pistols, an M-16 rifle, dozens of rounds of ammunition, and magazines. Some of the weapons were discovered hidden within a traditional Bedouin "sheg," a tent used for dispute resolution, including between clans. Another M-16 rifle was found in a suspect's home, and a Glock pistol was found in a vehicle. The police operation, involving officers from the southern district, Rahat station, the National Guard, and the special operations unit Lahav 433, targeted criminal activity in the Bedouin community. This action is part of an ongoing effort by Israeli police to combat crime and illegal weapon possession in the Bedouin sector, which has seen numerous police operations in recent months. Notably, a large-scale operation in mid-month, dubbed "Operation Iron Net," resulted in the arrest of 36 suspects over a single weekend.