Security Officials Lower Threat Level on Negev Security Emergency

IDF troops on Monday morning arrested an Arab who was attempting to assist a terrorist to carry out an attack. The Arab was arrested in the Lachish region of the Negev, after police and soldiers had set up dozens of roadblocks and checkpoints in the search for the terrorist, whom officials believed was in the Sderot area. Later Monday morning, police lowered the threat level and removed the roadblocks.

According to security officials, the terrorist is a resident of a village near Modi’in who had discussed carrying out a terror attack with acquaintances. The detainee is being questioned to determine if he was part of a larger terror gang that was organizing more attacks.

Overnight Sunday, Israeli soldiers surrounded a building on the campus of Bir Zeit University near Ramallah. The soldiers entered the building and seized materials that Israeli officials said were being used to prepare terror attacks. According to sources, the material was connected to a group called Kutlah, which is connected to Hamas and operates in the Ramallah area.

Also Sunday night, soldiers arrested over 60 illegal Arab workers in northern Israel. The Arabs had either been smuggled in or had previously held a work permit that expired. One group of 20 was arrested in the village of Shfaram in a single factory. Along with the workers, the owner of the factory was detained and will be charged with employing illegal workers. Penalties for that activity can range from fines of NIS 10,000 per instance to jail time.