Northern Negev Residents Report Intense Gunfire, Draw Parallels to October 7

Residents in the northern Negev region, particularly near the Bedouin city of Rahat, reported sustained and heavy gunfire from early Saturday morning. Residents of the nearby settlement of Giv'ot Bar stated that the shooting, involving light arms and machine guns, began at 6:29 AM and continued for approximately four hours. They described the experience as reminiscent of the Hamas attack on October 7, which also commenced at that time.

Multiple calls were made to the police, but residents claim that the source of the gunfire was not located. This lack of response has led to frustration and threats from the community. "We will establish an independent force to locate the shooting," residents declared, expressing a willingness to take matters into their own hands if the authorities do not provide a solution.

According to residents, the intense firing has been ongoing for about a week, with little action taken despite numerous complaints. The settlement manager, Billy, conveyed the community's distress, noting that the sounds were not isolated shots but heavy bursts from automatic weapons, creating a sense of invasion. She expressed deep concern about potential security breaches, questioning if shooting groups were operating within or near the settlement.

The police issued a statement confirming that two suspects were arrested for investigation on Saturday morning. Additionally, three more suspects were apprehended in recent days, and weapons including pistols, M16 rifles, and magazines were confiscated. Rahat police officers are reportedly continuing their operations in the area.