9 illegal residents arrested in Umm al-Fahm, 5 from Gaza

Nine illegal residents were arrested early Wednesday morning in a residential compound in Umm al-Fahm, in a joint operation by the Prison Service intelligence unit (Yamar) and police from the Umm al-Fahm and Jisr az-Zarqa stations. Ammunition of various types was seized during the operation.

The operation was carried out as part of the ongoing effort against illegal residence in Israel, following joint operational planning by the forces. According to a joint statement from the Prison Service and Israel Police spokespersons, the raid located nine illegal residents in the compound: five residents of the Gaza Strip and four residents of Judea and Samaria.

Photo: Israel Police and Israel Prison Service spokespersons

A search of the compound by the forces turned up loose ammunition. All nine suspects were arrested for questioning at police stations, seven were transferred for detention and imprisonment proceedings, while two were placed in deportation proceedings.

Fighters from the Prison Service's Nachshon unit took part in the operation and assisted in escorting the detainees. According to the statement, the Prison Service and Israel Police will continue to operate in joint coordination, including outside prison facility walls, to locate illegal residents and strengthen governance and public security.

The operation joins a series of similar actions carried out in recent months as part of the campaign against illegal residence. About two weeks ago, 10 illegal residents were arrested at a construction site in Jerusalem's Ramat Eshkol neighborhood, in a proactive operation by the municipal policing unit in the Jerusalem district.

Last week, Border Police South fighters arrested 13 illegal residents and two suspects in transporting them following a combined nighttime operation from the ground and air, after they crossed the seam line in the south. The operation included cooperation with the Israel Police air unit and IDF fighters.

Israel Police reminds the public that employing, housing or transporting illegal residents is a criminal offense that poses a real security risk to public safety. Police will continue to act decisively against illegal residents, and also against employers and those who assist them, who will bear full responsibility for their actions.