Jerusalem Police Find Dangerous Weapons Cache While Searching for AWOL Suspect

A targeted police operation in Jerusalem uncovered a significant arsenal of weapons hidden inside a residential home during a search for a suspect who was absent without leave (AWOL). The search, conducted by officers from the Moriah station in cooperation with the military police, revealed dozens of weapons and explosives stored in various rooms, including children's bedrooms. Authorities initially found a smoke grenade, which prompted a more thorough search involving Border Police dogs and bomb disposal experts.

The cache included 36 grenades of various types, including 18 fragmentation grenades, improvised explosive devices, a Kalashnikov rifle, a hunting rifle, multiple scopes, large quantities of ammunition including linked rounds, and other combat equipment. The homeowner, a man in his 50s, was arrested on suspicion of illegal weapons possession and endangering public safety. His detention was extended by court order until July 6, 2026, for further investigation.

Police emphasized the extreme danger posed by storing such weapons in a residential building, warning that any malfunction or improper handling could have caused catastrophic damage and loss of life to the residents and neighbors. They urged the public to immediately report any suspected weapons caches to emergency services and warned against touching such items, advising that bomb disposal units be called to handle them safely.

This incident is part of a broader pattern of illegal weapons stockpiling in civilian homes across Israel, which law enforcement continues to combat due to the significant threat it poses to public safety.