Police raid Yavne'el community over suspected underage marriages

Dozens of police officers raided sites in Yavne'el on Wednesday morning after a months-long covert investigation into a small, closed community suspected of arranging illegal child marriages. Several suspects were detained for questioning, including organizers, matchmakers, and even minors who had recently married.

Investigators said they uncovered an elaborate method designed to avoid enforcement. Weddings were often held in the morning, with only a small number of people present, and the location was kept secret until the last moment. Guests were asked to surrender their phones to prevent recording. After the secret ceremony, the community would hold a public event disguised as an engagement party to avoid suspicion.

A key piece of evidence was collected in February, when intelligence led detectives to raid a home during a wedding ceremony. Officers found the bride and groom dressed for a wedding, and later discovered the ketubah, wedding rings and a cup wrapped in foil hidden inside a water-meter cabinet.

Police also checked hospital records in northern Israel and found more than 20 cases over the past three years of girls from the community who gave birth, even though Interior Ministry records listed them as unmarried. The Northern District police said this is part of an ongoing effort to eradicate the phenomenon. Police added, "Israel Police will continue to act decisively against any offense harming minors and helpless people," and said the investigation continues with welfare and law-enforcement agencies to bring those involved to justice and prevent further cases.