A dramatic security incident unfolded Monday afternoon in the West Bank village of Nabi Elias when thieves stole a family vehicle with a young girl still inside, triggering a large-scale response from Israeli security forces over fears the incident could be an abduction.
According to Ynet, an Israeli Arab family from inside Israel was visiting Nabi Elias for shopping and routine business when the incident occurred. The father had stopped briefly at a dry-cleaning establishment to drop off and collect garments, leaving his vehicle running with his young daughter asleep in the back seat. The girl's mother and other family members remained in a nearby restaurant.
Within seconds, a car thief entered the vehicle and drove away. The father, who had stepped out of the car for only moments, immediately realized what had happened and began pursuit on foot with help from a bystander. The two chased the stolen vehicle while reporting the incident to security forces.
The initial report triggered a heightened security response. Fearing the incident could be a kidnapping motivated by nationalist tensions, Israeli military and police units deployed to the area in significant numbers. Forces established roadblocks across major routes in the region to intercept the vehicle, according to Ynet.
Approximately 20 minutes into the frantic search, the girl was located inside Nabi Elias. According to Ynet's account, the thieves had stopped the vehicle, ordered the child out, and continued fleeing. The girl, who had been asleep when the theft occurred, found herself alone and disoriented. Troops and police located her and returned her unharmed to her family.
According to Kikar HaShabbat, the girl remained deeply shaken by the experience. The thieves are believed to have escaped toward the nearby Palestinian village of Azzun.
