Security Forces Fire on Unauthorized Gaza Vessel

Israeli security forces fired on a vessel off the Gaza coast early Wednesday. The vessel was in an unauthorized area and refused to turn back. After it was fired on, the vessel changed course and returned to areas where Gaza vessels are permitted. There were no injuries in the incident.

Overnight Tuesday, Israeli security forces arrested eight suspects in a massive car theft ring that was operating out of the Palestinian Authority town of Kalkilya. The suspects worked with Israeli Arab criminals who stole Israeli vehicles and transported them to chop shops in Kalkilya, where the vehicles were dismantled and sold for parts.

Kalkilya is located just a few kilometers from the Sharon communities of Kfar Sava and Raanana, and many of the stolen vehicles came from those cities. The gang would also conduct carjackings in the Shomron region, stealing vehicles and bringing them to the chop shops. Police recovered the remains of numerous cars and motorcycles.

Overnight Tuesday, security officials said they arrested seven wanted security suspects in other areas in Yehudah and Shomron. The suspects 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.