Shin Bet Uncovers Plots for 'Military Brigades' and Attacks in Negev

Israel's Shin Bet security agency announced it has uncovered a series of investigations revealing organizations and plans to carry out attacks among residents of the Negev desert. The agency stated that since the beginning of 2026, 72 residents of the Negev and Southern Israel have been detained for questioning on suspicion of involvement in state security-threatening activities, with indictments filed against approximately 50 of them.

In one case, five young men from Shaqib al-Salam in the Negev were arrested in May and June on suspicion of planning to form a "military brigade" within the town, inspired by Palestinian brigades in the West Bank. According to the investigation, members of this group intended to carry out various attacks. The alleged leader was accused of seeking to establish the brigade, motivated by Palestinian sentiments and inciting against Israel on social media. One member reportedly agreed to attack a police station in Shaqib al-Salam and carry out a stabbing and shooting attack in Be'er Sheva's central station, while another agreed to join as an "engineer" to prepare explosives. A third member planned an independent attack with an explosive device after his release, and a fourth agreed to participate in an attack on the Shaqib al-Salam police station.

In a separate case, the Shin Bet reported the July arrest of Abdullah Jerjawi, also from Shaqib al-Salam. Investigations indicated he incited extremism and planned an attack at the "Forum" club in Be'er Sheva, maintained contact with ISIS operatives, and expressed a desire to travel to conflict zones abroad. Jerjawi reportedly expressed support for designated terrorist organizations including ISIS and Hamas.

Indictments detailing serious terror offenses have been filed against all individuals involved in these cases in the Beersheba Central Court. A senior Shin Bet official highlighted the security risk posed by cells of Israeli citizens, some paramilitary, aiming to carry out terrorist attacks within Israel, noting these activities were thwarted in their early stages. The agency views these developments as a "real danger" to national security.

This announcement follows a report by i24NEWS that Shin Bet Director David Zini had warned a mini-cabinet session about attempts to form "paramilitary brigades" within the Bedouin community in the Negev, describing the phenomenon as "very worrying" and noting the existence of "military infrastructures" that the agency is working to thwart.