Jerusalem, 13 November, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Israel Police announced on Friday that it had deployed snipers on rooftops in the Bedouin city of Rahat in the Negev to identify and neutralize gunmen, warning that “fire will be answered with fire.”
The operation follows a series of violent clashes and deadly shootings in the southern region.
Rahat Mayor Talal al-Krenawi said two young men had been killed in recent weeks amid fighting involving six families across three locations. He said residents had appealed to the municipality for protection, prompting a request for additional police forces.
Reinforcements, technological surveillance equipment and helicopter patrols have since helped sharply reduce gunfire, the mayor said.
Police also recently seized large quantities of ammunition, suspected stolen military ammunition, pistols and M16 rifles, and arrested several suspects during operations in the city.