Five young Israeli citizens from the town of Segev Shalom were arrested on suspicion of planning to establish a military cell in the town inspired by the Palestinian battalions in Judea and Samaria - and to carry out attacks against security forces and in Beersheba.
This is according to Shin Bet investigations conducted in May and June 2026.
The interrogations are part of a series of arrests carried out by the Shin Bet since the beginning of the year among residents of the Negev and the south on suspicion of security activity that endangers state security.
According to data published by the Shin Bet, since the beginning of 2026, 72 residents of the area have been arrested for Shin Bet questioning, 67 of whom are Israeli citizens with blue ID cards.
Indictments were filed against about 50 of those arrested.
Among the suspicions investigated were planning terrorist activity and smuggling weapons across the borders. One of the investigations, as mentioned, dealt with five residents of Segev Shalom, who, according to the Shin Bet, sought to establish a 'military battalion' in the settlement and operate within its framework in a number of ways.
According to the investigation's findings, the person identified as the leader of the cell worked for a long period to establish the battalion, inspired by battalions operating in Judea and Samaria and with Palestinian ties.
The Shin Bet claims that he also published content against the State of Israel on social media, thereby encouraging terrorist activity.
Another suspect, according to the investigation, agreed to an offer to carry out a shooting attack against the Segev Shalom police station as well as a stabbing and shooting attack at the central bus station in Be'er Sheva. It is also alleged that he watched videos from which he asked to learn how to make explosives.
Another member of the squad agreed to join the battalion and serve as an 'engineer' who would be responsible for preparing explosives against the security forces.
According to the Shin Bet, another suspect, young in age, also agreed to join the infrastructure and at the same time planned to independently carry out an attack using an IED after he was released from custody.
His interrogation revealed, according to the Shin Bet, that he supports the Islamic State organization and that for about two years he had planned to carry out a stabbing attack in the name of the organization.
The fifth suspect in the case agreed to join the military battalion and even expressed willingness to carry out an attack at the Segev Shalom police station as part of the cell's activities.
Another investigation was opened in July 2026 against Abdullah Gerjaoui, an Israeli citizen and resident of Segev Shalom. The Shin Bet claims that Gerjaoui incited terrorism and planned to carry out an attack at the Forum club in Beersheba.
His interrogation also revealed, according to the Shin Bet, that he was in contact with Islamic State operatives and expressed an intention to go to the organization's combat arenas abroad. It was also alleged that he identified with terrorist organizations, including the Islamic State and Hamas.
During the year, indictments were filed against those involved in the cases in the Beer Sheva District Court, accusing them of serious terrorist offenses.
A senior Shin Bet official said that the investigations "illustrate the security risk posed by the establishment of active squads of Israeli citizens, some of whom are semi-military, who seek to promote terrorist attacks on Israeli territory, and whose activities were interrupted by hostility due to counter-terrorism activities by the Shin Bet and the Israel Police.".
