Israeli Police Seize Deadly Military Mine Near Homes in Northern Arab Town, Arrest Two Suspects
Israeli police discovered a lethal Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) landmine near residential areas in Tur'an, a northern Arab town, on Monday. During the operation conducted by Kanna police station officers, two suspects known to law enforcement were arrested. Authorities also confiscated numerous weapon parts and drugs. The police described the seizure as a significant achievement in combating criminals in Arab communities who possess weapons, especially amid ongoing violent conflicts.
The explosive device found was a "Manta" model, a rare and highly dangerous military fragmentation mine. It functions as a booby trap with a dual "jumping" mechanism designed to bypass ground obstacles and disperse hundreds of metal pellets over a wide radius. According to Kanna police commander Deputy Superintendent Itamar Pinzi, this is standard military equipment that has been smuggled or stolen from the IDF and ended up in the hands of criminals.
Police expressed serious concern that such advanced weaponry could be used by hostile groups for nationalist terrorism. Deputy Superintendent Pinzi emphasized that while criminal organizations intend to use these arms against their rivals, innocent civilians often suffer the consequences. Despite efforts by criminals to conceal weapons in open areas to hinder evidence collection, police stressed that removing such devices from the streets is a clear lifesaving measure, even if prosecuting suspects proves difficult.
Pinzi vowed to intensify operations against crime families to restore public safety, noting that many offenders mistakenly believe they are protected but are eventually arrested. The investigation is in its early stages, with forensic analysis expected to strengthen the case against the two detainees. Residents in the affected villages reportedly long for peace and an end to violence.
