On Sunday, Israeli authorities arrested suspects linked to illegal gas stations discovered during routine patrols by the Border Police and the Etzion Brigade, as well as the Civil Administration's monitoring unit.
The six pirate gas stations were operating in the villages of al-'Arub and Beit Ummar along Route 60, south of Gush Etzion. During the operation uniforms, pumps and other equipment were confiscated.
Marco Ben Shabat, director of the inspection unit, noted that in recent period there has been a significant increase in the number of illegal gas stations established throughout Judea and Samaria.
Ben Shabat stressed that "pirate gas stations constitute a serious violation of the law and a severe safety and environmental hazard."
"The inspection unit has stepped up its regular enforcement activities and since the beginning of 2018 more than 30 enforcement activities have been carried out against pirate gas stations, and we will continue to enforce the law in Judea and Samaria," he added