Israeli Security Forces Crack Down on Dangerous Gunfire During Morocco World Cup Celebrations in Rahat

Following Morocco's victory in the World Cup, celebrations in the city of Rahat escalated into dangerous criminal gunfire incidents. Israeli police and Border Police forces operating under the "Iron Net" operation against crime and illegal weapons swiftly intervened overnight between Saturday and Sunday. They conducted extensive raids on residential areas from which live gunfire was reported, using crowd control measures to restore order.

The operation resulted in the arrest of five suspects directly involved in the shooting, with no casualties reported. The police emphasized that the intervention was part of an ongoing campaign to combat crime, illegal arms, and gunfire incidents in Rahat. In recent searches, authorities uncovered large caches of weapons and ammunition, including over 1,100 rounds of 5.56 mm and 230 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition, multiple M16 rifle parts, and three modified fragmentation grenades.

Additional raids uncovered a hidden 'Carlo' submachine gun with magazines and further ammunition, leading to the detention of a 30-year-old Rahat resident. Police also seized a large sum of cash totaling 186,530 shekels and arrested two individuals, including a 25-year-old foreign national residing illegally in Israel. All seized weapons, ammunition, and funds have been forwarded for forensic and investigative processing to identify further suspects.

The Southern District police reaffirmed their commitment to zero tolerance and the use of all technological and operational means to eradicate illegal arms trafficking and gun violence within the Arab community, aiming to ensure public safety. The crackdown highlights the challenges of maintaining order amid spontaneous celebrations that can quickly turn violent.

The police operation coincided with the ongoing World Cup event, during which Morocco's national team advanced to the quarterfinals, sparking widespread celebrations in Rahat and other areas.