Four Negev Residents Arrested for Planning Mass Terror Attack in Beersheba

Israeli security forces announced the arrest of four residents from the Negev settlement of Segev Shalom, accused of planning a mass terror attack in Beersheba and other violent acts against police and security forces. The suspects were detained in May and June 2026 during a joint operation by the Southern District Police and the Shin Bet, with one arrested moments before executing an attack. Investigations revealed the group intended to carry out shootings at the Segev Shalom police station and a major attack at Beersheba’s central bus station, as well as establish a terror infrastructure targeting security personnel.

The indictment, filed by the Southern District Prosecutor’s Office, details that the main suspect operated a public Instagram account promoting Hamas, Al-Qassam Brigades, and other jihadist groups, sharing videos and messages glorifying terror acts and calling for armed struggle. Initially planning a stabbing attack, the suspects later shifted to a shooting attack to maximize impact. The main suspect also sought to form a terror organization inspired by the 2021 "Guardian of the Walls" conflict, recruiting the others and assigning roles, including a "commander" and an "engineer" who downloaded bomb-making instructions.

The charges include conspiracy to commit terror, training for terror purposes, incitement to terror, and affiliation with a terror organization. Authorities emphasized that the plot was foiled before any attack could be carried out. The case was investigated by the Shin Bet and the Southern District Police’s counterterrorism unit.