Shin Bet uncovers West Bank-style terror cell in Negev as Bedouin group denies 'battalion' claims
The Shin Bet statement further detailed an attack that was planned on a Beersheba nightclub that was uncovered following the arrest and interrogation of Israeli citizen Abdullah Jarjawi.
The Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) revealed on Thursday the discovery of a West Bank-style terror cell operating within the Bedouin community of Segev Shalom in the Negev. According to the statement, five individuals were arrested for interrogation in May and June, each allegedly playing a distinct role in the planned terror attacks.
The cell leader, inspired by West Bank terror groups, sought to recruit members and establish a terror battalion in Segev Shalom, outside of Beersheba, to carry out acts of violence against the state. In addition to the cell leader, four other suspects were interrogated, with roles ranging from planning attacks at the Segev Shalom police station and Beersheba Central Bus Station, serving as the battalion's engineer, and expressing intent to carry out an attack with an explosive device at a Beersheba nightclub.
The fifth suspect, identified as an ISIS supporter, intended to attack the Segev Shalom police station. Following the arrests, 72 Bedouin residents have been detained for interrogation since the beginning of 2026, with approximately 50 facing charges for terror offenses. The Shin Bet highlighted the security risks posed by such cells, warning of a genuine threat to state security.
The Regional Council for Unrecognized Villages in the Negev (RCUVN) rejected the Shin Bet's findings, stating that out of the 72 detainees, only five were suspected of explicit security offenses, while the remaining 31 were linked to purely criminal activities. The RCUVN criticized the Shin Bet's actions, accusing the agency of racism and xenophobia, with the aim of creating a dictatorship and further marginalizing the Bedouin population.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
