Israeli Police Detain Over 2,000 Illegal Residents in Southern District Since Early 2026

Since the beginning of 2026, Israeli police and National Guard forces in the southern district have arrested more than 2,000 illegal residents, according to recent closed-door police discussions reported by Walla News on April 4. Most of these individuals entered the southern region by crossing fences near South Mount Hebron and other areas under IDF control. The majority sought employment in construction sites, event halls, and restaurants.

In addition to arrests, authorities have intensified actions against employers of illegal residents, resulting in the administrative closure of dozens of businesses. Eli Abutbul, commander of the southern division of the National Guard, emphasized the daily joint efforts of National Guard fighters and southern district police to locate and detain illegal residents, highlighting the significant security and social implications of this issue.

Abutbul stated that ongoing operations in Rahat aim to identify illegal residents attempting to blend into local populations, as well as employers and landlords violating the law. He affirmed the commitment to continue using all available means to enforce the law, hold offenders accountable, and strengthen security and governance in the area.