Shin Bet Arrests 72 Negev and Southern Residents for Security Offenses
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
The Shin Bet has arrested 72 residents of southern Israel since early 2026 for suspected security offenses, including planning terror attacks. Five individuals from Shagav Shalom allegedly aimed to form a military cell inspired by Palestinian groups. Indictments have been filed against about 50 detainees for charges like planning terror and weapons smuggling. A senior Shin Bet official noted these arrests thwart significant security risks from domestic terror cells.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Shin Bet arrested 72 Negev and southern residents for security offenses since early 2026.
- Five Shagav Shalom residents allegedly planned a military cell for attacks against security forces.
- Indictments filed against 50 detainees for terror planning and weapons smuggling.
- One suspect planned attacks on Shagav Shalom police and Beersheba bus station.
- Abdallah Jerjoui accused of inciting terror and planning attack at Beersheba club.
- Shin Bet official cited domestic terror cells as a significant security risk.
The Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) has revealed the arrest of 72 residents from the Negev and southern Israel since the beginning of 2026 on suspicion of security-related activities. Among those arrested are five young Israeli citizens from Shagav Shalom, who allegedly planned to establish a military cell inspired by Palestinian factions in Judea and Samaria to carry out attacks against security forces and in Beersheba. These investigations, conducted in May and June 2026, are part of a broader operation targeting individuals in the region suspected of endangering national security.
According to the Shin Bet, 67 of the 72 individuals arrested hold blue Israeli identity cards. Indictments have been filed against approximately 50 of the detainees, with charges including planning terror activities and smuggling weapons across borders. The investigation into the Shagav Shalom group revealed that one suspect, identified as the cell's leader, allegedly spent a long period establishing the group, drawing inspiration from West Bank factions and expressing Palestinian sympathies. He is also accused of posting anti-Israel content online to encourage terrorism.
Further allegations include one suspect agreeing to carry out a shooting attack on the Shagav Shalom police station and a stabbing and shooting attack at the Beersheba central bus station. He reportedly watched videos on how to construct explosives. Another cell member allegedly agreed to join as an "engineer" responsible for preparing explosives against security forces. A younger suspect, allegedly supporting ISIS, planned an independent stabbing attack for the organization and also agreed to join the military cell, expressing willingness to attack the Shagav Shalom police station.
In a separate investigation opened in July 2026, Abdallah Jerjoui, an Israeli citizen from Shagav Shalom, is accused by the Shin Bet of inciting terrorism and planning an attack at the "Forum" club in Beersheba. He allegedly communicated with ISIS operatives and expressed a desire to join their combat zones abroad, while also identifying with terror groups like ISIS and Hamas. Indictments for serious terror offenses have been filed against those involved in these cases in the Beersheba District Court.
A senior Shin Bet official stated that these investigations and arrests highlight the security risk posed by cells of Israeli citizens, some semi-military, aiming to carry out terror attacks within Israel, whose activities were thwarted by the Shin Bet and Israel Police.
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