Israeli Authorities Arrest Suspect for Illegal Holding of Protected Gazelle Near Ramallah

Israeli security forces located a young gazelle, a protected wild animal, held illegally in the town of al-Ram, south of Ramallah, on Saturday night. The animal was found by Border Police Central Unit detectives, Border Police fighters in the West Bank, and inspectors from the Nature and Parks Authority under the Civil Administration's Nature Reserves Division. A 48-year-old suspect from the nearby village of Kafr Aqab was detained and transferred for further investigation by the Nature and Parks Authority. The suspect faces charges related to illegal trade, possession, and hunting of a protected wild species.

The search operation in al-Ram was based on intelligence provided by the Border Police Central Unit. After locating the gazelle, the animal was handed over to Nature and Parks Authority inspectors and subsequently transferred to the Wildlife Hospital at the Ramat Gan Safari for treatment. The authorities released photos documenting the gazelle's discovery and the suspect's detention.

In a joint statement, the police and Nature and Parks Authority emphasized their ongoing cooperation to combat illegal possession, breeding, hunting, and trade of protected wildlife in accordance with Israeli law. They also encouraged the public to report any knowledge of illegally held wild animals by contacting the Nature and Parks Authority hotline at *3639.