Red Alert False Alarm as Rocket Falls Near Sinai Border

The Red Alert early-warning system sounded in the Negev Tuesday morning, with residents of communities near the Sinai and Gaza borders rushing for cover. The rocket was fired from Sinai and it may have been aimed at Israel, but it fell on the Egyptian side of the border. Loud noise from the explosion was heard throughout the area, and residents left their shelters after several minutes.

A gang of Arab sheep thieves were arrested early Tuesday as two Arabs driving a van attempted to cross an IDF checkpoint near Tul Karem in Shomron. When challenged by soldiers, they suddenly tried to make a U-turn and return to Tul Karem. Soldiers chased them down and managed to halt the vehicle, and upon inspection they found sheep with tags indicating that they belonged to an Israeli moshav. Police suspect that the two, residents of Jenin, are part of a large gang of thieves who specialize in stealing Israeli agricultural and farm products. Police took custody of the vehicle and discovered that that, too, was stolen from Israelis.

Overnight Monday, security officials said they arrested eight security suspects in other areas in Yehudah and Shomron who were wanted for participating in rioting and throwing stones and firebombs that endangered Israeli civilians and IDF soldiers. Several of the suspects were also charged with belonging to Hamas. All were being questioned on their activities by security forces.