Israeli security forces recently arrested two Bedouin teenagers from the Negev who planned to steal weapons from Israel Defense Forces bases to carry out terrorist attacks, authorities said on Thursday.
The suspects—aged 17 and 18 and only identified as Israeli citizens from a Bedouin village in the Negev—were arrested as part of a probe led by the Central Unit of the Israel Police’s Southern District and the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet), the two agencies said in a statement.
The pair was arrested last month after intelligence information linked them to incitement and support for Palestinian terrorism on social media.
Following an investigation, it became clear that they planned to steal weapons from IDF bases. They allegedly intended to sell part of the arms to terrorist groups in Judea and Samaria while the remaining weapons would be used in their own attacks on “Israeli targets.”
Additionally, the two Bedouin attempted to recruit another minor to assist in their plot to steal weapons, according to Israeli authorities.
A “serious indictment” against the suspects was submitted by the Southern District Attorney’s Office to the District Juvenile Court in Beersheva on Thursday morning, the statement continued.
“The Israel Police and the Shin Bet take a severe view of any involvement by Israeli citizens in terrorism and will continue to act with full force to thwart such threats and ensure justice is served,” the agencies stated.
Since the start of the Swords of Iron War almost 18 months ago, there has been a growing radicalization among segments of Israel’s Arab population.
Since the beginning of the war on Oct. 7, 2023, Israeli security officials have investigated 80 cases involving Arab citizens. There have been 26 cases of Israelis swearing allegiance to ISIS and “global jihad organizations,” Kan News reported last week.
In total, the Shin Bet detained 177 Israeli Arabs for questioning in cases involving national security in 2024, the public broadcaster said.
On Sunday, the Israel Police and Shin Bet announced they had arrested a 17-year-old Arab who was planning a terrorist attack on behalf of ISIS.
The suspect, identified only as a 17-year-old resident of the Arab town of Jisr az-Zarqa, located on the Mediterranean coast between Kibbutz Ma’agan Michael and Caesarea, was arrested on March 2, they said.
During the investigation, it became clear the minor repeatedly pledged allegiance to ISIS “and to the current caliph,” and planned to carry out an attack within the jurisdiction of the Israel Police’s Menashe Division.
