Goats (file)
Goats (file)Nati Shohat / Flash 90

Thirty rare Alpine goats, that were stolen by Arabs from a Jewish-owned farm near Modi'in three weeks ago, were recovered before dawn Thursday in a joint operation mounted by Southern District Border Police's Central Unit, accompanied by warriors from the Engineering Corps' 601st Battalion, and the farm's owners.

HaShomer HaChadash, a nonprofit that helps protect Jewish farms from theft and vandalism, announced Thursday that the goats – which had been taken from the Ofaimme Farm – were recovered in a raid "deep inside the territories."

One of the farm's owners, Hidai Ofaimme, said that "The goats' physical and mental state is bad and they were held in conditions that cause sorrow to man and beast alike."

The goats were taken to a quarantine station where those that survive will begin to recover.

Twenty-three goats were recovered earlier this month, but about 150 are still missing. The Ofaimme family's livelihood depends on the flock.

"We shall not sleep or rest until all of our enemies know that crime does not pay, and that agriculture will triumph," Hidai added.

HaShomer HaChadash's Facebook page noted that farmers are, by nature, an optimistic lot.