Israeli Police Target 17 Violent Conflicts in Southern Israel
The Israeli Police's Southern District has redeployed its SAHAR (Special Patrol Unit) to Rahat and Tarbin, two Bedouin towns in the Negev region, to address escalating violence. This unit, comprising 230 officers and soldiers from elite military backgrounds, is tasked with responding to terrorism, riots, hazardous materials incidents, and crime, particularly within the Arab community. SAHAR is focusing its efforts on 17 identified violent conflicts in the area, some of which have already resulted in fatalities and injuries from shootings.
Police are observing a rise in family disputes fueled by financial debts, land disagreements, and inheritance issues, alongside conflicts that can originate from minor altercations. The identified conflicts carry a risk of stabbings, grenade attacks, and shootings. Commander Meir Hachmon of the SAHAR unit stated that their proactive approach, utilizing drones, specialized cameras, and K-9 units, has led to a significant reduction in violence, including a 30% decrease in shooting incidents.
The unit employs a strategy called "getting ahead of the trigger," which involves using intelligence to identify and de-escalate conflicts before they intensify. This can involve direct intervention or negotiation, though some families remain unwilling to reduce violence. In such cases, police resort to combined enforcement measures, including economic sanctions like business closures and asset seizures.
Southern District Commander, Superintendent Chaim Bublil, emphasized a zero-tolerance policy for firearms, stating that armed individuals posing a threat will be neutralized. "Shooting will be met with shooting," Hachmon declared, adding that snipers are deployed to control situations and neutralize armed suspects. Police data indicates a 25% decrease in property crimes in the Southern District during the first half of 2026 compared to the previous year, with notable drops in burglaries and vehicle thefts. However, there has been a nearly 29% increase in indictments for extortion.
Despite overall crime reduction, indictments for shooting offenses have risen, with 31 filed in the first half of 2026 compared to 30 in all of 2025. Prosecutors highlight that legal amendments now allow for prosecution of illegal shooting incidents even without casualties, recognizing the inherent danger. The police are committed to using all available resources to apprehend and prosecute offenders, aiming to prevent future violence and ensure public safety.
