Rahat Residents Report Unceasing Gunfire, Children Fear School

Residents of Rahat reported continuous gunfire throughout the night and into the morning, causing children to fear going to school. The Rahat municipality stated that 25,000 students went to school, and the issue was a localized disturbance stemming from a fight in one of the neighborhoods. The municipality is working to de-escalate the situation. This follows an incident the previous day where two young men were injured by automatic weapon fire at a wedding, with one in very serious condition. Police are investigating that incident alongside the ongoing gunfire.

In a separate event, police intercepted a convoy of motorcyclists near the Negev crossroads, heading north and exhibiting dangerous behavior. The convoy was stopped near the Bedouin town of Tel Sheva, where some riders drove off-road. One motorcyclist fled, lost control of his vehicle, and was apprehended by police. He was found to be driving without a license or insurance and was arrested for failing to obey an officer.

Official Pini Dadesh warned of armed groups organizing in the Negev that could become active terror cells. He noted that weapons are accumulating among residents, describing the situation as increasingly dangerous with thousands of weapons in circulation. Dadesh expressed concern that terror events could occur, citing active cells in cities, towns, and the Bedouin diaspora, while emphasizing that not everyone is involved.