Suspects Arrested for Supplying Weapons to Beer Sheva Attack Perpetrator

In a joint operation by the Shin Bet and the Israel Police, undercover officers from the Yamam elite counter-terrorism unit, directed by the Shin Bet, arrested Negev residents suspected of selling and facilitating the purchase of weapons and ammunition for the terrorist Ahmed Al-Okobi. Al-Okobi carried out a shooting attack on October 6, 2024, in which 19-year-old Border Police officer Shira Haya Soslik was killed and others were injured.

Based on intelligence gathered by the Shin Bet, three Israeli citizens, residents of the Negev, were arrested in September 2026 by the undercover officers. They were transferred for interrogation by the Shin Bet and the counter-terrorism unit of the Southern District Police. These individuals included Yahya Al-Okobi, approximately 26 years old, a resident of Hura, and two others, a father and son, one of whom was a minor at the time of the offenses, residing in the Al-Okobi Bedouin encampment.

During the investigation, it emerged that the suspects engaged in a transaction to acquire weapons, including a handgun and ammunition, which they supplied to the attacker, knowing he might be interested in carrying out a terror attack. The investigation also revealed that some of the suspects were involved in arms trafficking with other individuals in the Negev.

Following the investigation, the Southern District Prosecutor's Office filed serious indictments against the three individuals in the Beer Sheva District Court. They are charged with offenses including arms and ammunition trafficking and possession, and providing means to commit an act of terror.