Police Unit Deploys to Southern Israel to Tackle 17 Violent Conflicts
The Israeli Police's Southern District's SAR (Special Patrol Unit) has resumed operations in Rahat and the village of Tarbin, taking over from the National Guard. The unit, comprising 230 officers and soldiers from elite military backgrounds, is tasked with responding to terrorism, riots, hazardous materials incidents, and violence within the Arab community. As part of its renewed focus, the police have identified 17 violent disputes in the region, some of which have already resulted in fatalities and injuries from shootings.
Commander Meir Hachmon stated that the unit is operating 24/7 in Rahat and Tarbin, along with surrounding areas like Giva'ot Bar and Lehavim, aiming to reduce severe violence. These conflicts often stem from financial debts, land disputes, or inheritance issues, and can escalate from minor altercations. The identified disputes carry a risk of stabbings, grenade attacks, and shootings.
Hachmon explained the unit employs a proactive strategy called 'getting ahead of the trigger,' using intelligence to identify escalating conflicts before they worsen. This involves a combination of enforcement, financial measures like business closures and asset confiscations, and sometimes dialogue. He emphasized a zero-tolerance policy for firearms, stating that armed individuals posing a danger will be neutralized, and that shooting will be met with shooting.
Statistics from the Southern District indicate a significant decrease in various crimes during the first half of 2026 compared to the previous year, including property offenses, burglaries, vehicle thefts, and arson. Shootings also saw a decrease of approximately 30%, with 256 indictments filed for weapons offenses. However, extortion charges saw an increase. Notably, murder incidents in the Bedouin sector dropped by 67% in the months since May.
Despite these positive trends, prosecutors note an increase in indictments for illegal shooting incidents, with 31 filed in the first half of 2026 compared to 30 in all of 2025. Prosecutors stress that illegal firing is a serious offense regardless of whether anyone is injured, and new legal tools allow for prosecution even when no casualties occur, emphasizing the law's role in preventing future deaths.
