Shin Bet Chief Warns of Military Infrastructure in Bedouin Diaspora

The head of Israel's domestic security agency, Shin Bet, David Zini, has warned the cabinet of ministers about the emergence of military infrastructure within the Bedouin diaspora in southern Israel. Zini stated that attempts are being made to establish formations resembling military battalions, describing it as a "very disturbing phenomenon." He noted that security forces are continuously thwarting such efforts.

Zini also highlighted a concerning link between some of these formations and terrorist organizations, including Hamas. He explained that these connections are partly facilitated through marriages with women from Gaza and Judea and Samaria. Some of these infrastructure sites are located just minutes away from cities like Beersheba and Dimona.

This warning comes amid increased scrutiny by security agencies on the involvement of Israeli citizens from the Bedouin community in terrorist activities, arms smuggling across the Egyptian border, and ties to terrorist groups in Gaza and Judea and Samaria. Police and security forces have also observed a widespread proliferation of weapons in the Negev region and growing national and religious radicalization.

According to security assessments, these factors are creating fertile ground for the formation of local armed groups that are acquiring assault rifles, explosive devices, and night vision equipment through smuggling.