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

Residents of the northern Negev town of Givot Bar awoke on Saturday morning to intense gunfire, including light arms and machine guns, which they claim originated from the nearby Bedouin city of Rahat. The barrage began precisely at 6:29 AM, a time that eerily echoed the start of the October 7th Hamas attack. The shooting continued for approximately four hours, causing significant alarm among residents who flooded local WhatsApp groups with worried messages.

Residents reported multiple calls to the emergency services, but stated that while patrols were dispatched, the source of the gunfire was not identified in real-time. They emphasized that this was not an isolated incident but the culmination of a tense week marked by explosions and military training in the area, with Saturday's events crossing a "red line."

The police, however, denied claims of inadequate response, stating that Rahat station officers were operating with reinforced forces. In a separate incident overnight, a break-in at the Antigonas farm involved a theft attempt and a ramming attempt, during which the farm owners reportedly fired shots at the suspects, resulting in one injury.

In parallel, police reported significant law enforcement activity in Rahat over the weekend targeting illegal weapons. Officers seized two handguns, magazines, and ammunition in one raid, arresting two suspects. In another operation, an M-16 rifle and magazines were found in a suspect vehicle, leading to an arrest. Additionally, two more suspects were arrested in connection with family disputes involving gunfire. In total, five suspects from Rahat, aged in their 20s, 30s, and 40s, were arrested and handed over for further investigation.

Hagai Raznik, head of the Riffman Institute for the Development of the Negev, warned that the Negev has become a major hub for weapons smuggling and distribution, effectively turning the region into a "Gaza Strip" and urging the government to take action.