National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir said that police from the Ayarot station swiftly stopped men from Malkiya who were shooting at and terrorizing residents of the nearby communities of Karmit and Metar, describing the operation as quickly ending their 'party.'
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir stated Saturday evening that police from the Ayarot station swiftly stopped men from the town of Malkiya who were shooting at and terrorizing residents of the nearby communities of Karmit and Metar in the Negev. Ben Gvir described the operation as ending what he called their 'party,' and confirmed that the suspects were identified as residents of Malkiya. The statement provides the first official confirmation of the suspects' identity and the police response, following earlier reports of sustained gunfire in the area.
The incident unfolded over the course of Saturday evening, beginning with reports of bursts of gunfire and tracer rounds over Karmit at around 21:34 Jerusalem. Residents described the shooting as 'non-stop' and 'crazy, never like this before.' N12 journalist Almog Boker reported continuous gunfire, writing that 'this is what governance in the Negev looks like tonight.' The Zioneer published a video of the gunfire, with residents describing the scene as routine. Police later arrived at the scene and fired illumination flares. By 21:34, Minister Ben Gvir confirmed that police had foiled a shooting attack, a report that was later expanded with the identification of the suspects as residents of Malkiya.
The incident highlights ongoing security challenges in the Negev region, where residents have reported a pattern of gunfire and a lack of governance. As The Zioneer reported Saturday evening, the situation comes as Ben Gvir approaches four years in office, with residents describing the scene as routine. The minister has previously emphasized the need for a strong police presence and swift action against threats to Israeli communities.
No casualties have been reported in the incident. The exact circumstances of the shooting and the motives of the suspects remain under investigation.
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