Negev

During family trip:

Boy makes 1,700 year old archeological discovery

An 8-year-old boy discovered a rare 1,700-year-old statuette fragment near Ramon Crater, believed to be linked to Roman and Nabatean culture.

State Comptroller: Governance problem in the Negev has worsened

A report by the State Comptroller reveals severe failures in governance in the Negev: partial law enforcement, rising crime, and gaps in public services. Ben Gvir’s office responded: “Distorted and falsified data."

Police bust major protection racket targeting contractors

Undercover Lahav 433 operation exposes widespread extortion scheme using fake 'security services,' leading to arrests and seizure of assets worth millions.

Land Authority issues ultimatum to Negev Bedouin

Israel Land Authority unveils sweeping changes to framework for resolving Bedouin land ownership claims in the Negev. 'Courageous and long-overdue paradigm shift.'

3 killed, 2 critically injured in Negev crash

A serious collision between three vehicles near the Nahal Yatir interchange left three men in their 30s dead. Two more men were evacuated in serious condition to Soroka Medical Center in Be'er Sheva.

Man seriously injured by missile strike in the Negev

A man from the Bedouin community was seriously injured, while his wife and two young children were lightly injured by a missile fired from Iran.

Watch:

Police foil weapons stash in Arara, Negev

Two suspects were arrested and transferred for questioning after officers from the Arara police station located an M-16 rifle and a Sig Sauer pistol in Arara in the Negev.

Government approves:

Supplementary airport to be built in the Negev

Decision aims to prevent aviation bottlenecks and strengthen emergency preparedness as air traffic continues to surge.

Government approves five new towns in the Negev

The government on Sunday approved a proposal by Construction and Housing Minister Haim Katz and Settlements Minister Orit Struck to establish five new community settlements in the eastern Be'er Sheva metropolitan area.

Watch:

Police arrest the 'Shooting Doctor' in a Ramallah hideout

Med school graduate involved in deadly criminal Negev shooting arrested in Ramallah.

Pres Herzog

'Situation in Negev is a national emergency'

President Isaac Herzog convened an emergency meeting with heads of local authorities from the Negev region in southern Israel.

Netanyahu:

'The Negev is running wild - we’re taking it back'

Netanyahu toured the Western Negev with senior ministers and security chiefs, declaring a major national operation to restore governance, expand settlement, and combat crime and illegal weapons.

Two deadly attacks carried out with guns smuggled into Israel

The indictment against a Bedouin smuggling cell includes grave data on the phenomenon of weapons smuggling across Israel’s borders with Egypt and Jordan.

Smuggling ring busted

Smugglers tapped IDF comms, smuggled machine guns from Egypt

Shin Bet, IDF, and police arrest smuggling network that would smuggle weapons from Egypt to Israel using drones.

Ben-Gvir in Bedouin village:

‘Whoever isn’t normative, we will cut them down’

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visited the Bedouin village of Tarabin after vehicles were torched in Lehavim, vowing intensified enforcement under Operation 'New Order.'

Watch:

13-year-old driver captured after car chase

During a large-scale police operation in the Negev, a 13-year-old was caught driving without a valid license and with his teenage sister in the car.

Arson:

Ben Gvir in Tarabin: 'We won't permit unruly behavior'

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visited the village of Tarabin in the Negev and was attacked with rocks. Police dispersed the demonstrations.

Searches, gunfire, and arrests in the Negev

During the third weekend of Operation New Order in southern Israel, 45 suspects were arrested, and stolen weapons and drugs were seized.

Chief of Staff

'We are operating across all arenas, near and far'

IDF Chief of Staff, LTG Eyal Zamir, conducted a field tour today in the 80th Regional Division. 'In the Negev, security and the communities are interconnected - this is a clear principle that guides our actions.'

Ben Gvir:

'Likud neglected the Negev for 30 years'

In an interview with Kan 11 News, the National Security Minister accuses the ruling party of losing control in southern Israel, following footage of an attempted robbery in Ofakim.

'The lawlessness is over'

Ben-Gvir and Bedouin citizen clash in the Negev

During a visit to Tel Sheva, an argument broke out between the National Security Minister and one of the residents, who accused him of 'looking for noise.'

Shin Bet Director:

Land grabs in the Negev are also terrorism

Senior defense and political officials met at the Prime Minister’s Office to address rising challenges in Judea and Samaria, debating the Hilltop Youth, outpost policy, and questions of governance and enforcement.

'We will fight for governance'

Ben Gvir visits south after gunfire from Bedouin town

Residents of Negev communities report heavy gunfire from the Bedouin town of Bir Hadaj. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir visits community of Carmit and vows: “We won’t back down from demolishing illegal structures and will restore security.”

Bedouins arrested after they threatened to murder Min. Ben-Gvir

Police arrested three Tel Sheva residents for threatening to murder Minister Ben-Gvir over demolitions; a taxi and camera were seized as the investigation continues.

A solution to the drone threat to the Negev

Ibrahim Al-Arjani and corrupt Egyptian officers are behind a growing drone smuggling network threatening Israel's Negev region; there is an urgent need for a fortified anti-drone defense line along the Sinai border. Op-ed.

Battle against illegal construction:

Bedouin set fire to homes, protesting demolitions

Authorities demolish illegal Bedouin structures in southern Israel, locals violently protest, set fire to homes and tires.

Again

Severe power outages at Negev IDF base

About 200 soldiers serving in combat reconnaissance units report a full day without electricity, cold water, or air conditioning at the reconnaissance base. The IDF provides a version different from the soldiers’ account.

Tragedy in Negev

4-year-old girl dies after being left in hot car

A four-year-old girl was brought to a clinic in Arara in the Negev after being left for an extended period in a closed vehicle. Magen David Adom (MDA) teams were forced to pronounce her death.

A month before his wedding:

Combat soldier Yehuda Peretz killed in road accident

IDF soldier Yehuda Peretz son of Moti and Shimrit Peretz from Retamim, was killed on Friday in a road accident on Highway 222.

NIS 3.2 billion budget for rebuilding south after Oct. 7 approved

Netanyahu: 'Today, the Government is approving extensive steps for the rebuilding, development and renewal of many communities in the Negev, and Ashkelon.'

Revealed:

How secrets of the Byzantine Negev wine economy were deciphered

New research from University of Haifa identifies the conditions conditions which allowed vineyards to flourish in the desert, and what caused the collapse of agriculture during drought years.

35 years after discovery:

Gorgeous 1,600-year-old mosaic revealed to the public

Colorful mosaic discovered about 35 years ago south of Kibbutz Urim in the Gaza border region is displayed to the public for the first time, following preservation efforts.

Rare discovery:

1,500 years-old African-style figurines found in Negev graves

Rare burial artifacts at Tel Malḥata reveal Christian-African cultural ties and ancient traditions of identity and memory.

After 2 months of quiet:

Ballistic missile launched at Israel from Yemen

Red Alert sirens activated in Be'er Sheva, Dimona, and more cities in the Negev as missile fired from Yemen intercepted before reaching Israeli airspace.

Watch:

Lion cub rescued from a pit in the Negev Desert

Police found a lion cub being held in a pit near the Bedouin town of Bir Hadaj. The cub was handed over to the Nature and Parks Authority.

Lion cub, monkeys kept illegally in Negev communities

Police find lion cub and 4 monkeys illegally smuggled into Israel. Avigdor Liberman warns if animals can be smuggled into Israel, more dangerous things can be smuggled in as well.

2,500 years old

Ancient arrowheads from Yemen uncovered in Israel's Negev

Antiquities Authority excavation in southern Israel uncovers ancient grave containing remains of a merchant caravan; researchers believe the caravans traded frankincense and myrrh and possibly women as well.

Police destroy illegal mosque and structures in Bedouin village

Large police force enters Bedouin village in southern Israel, destroying illegal structures.

Green in the desert

Watch: Police uncover large underground cannabis lab in the Negev

Police and Border Police officers uncovered a tunnel leading to an underground lab with over 600 cannabis plants worth over a million shekels.

Preliminary reading

Bill to recognize parts of Judea as the Negev

According to the 1991 Negev Law communities of southern Mount Hebron and the town of Kiryat Arba geographically fall in the legally recognized Negev, but they have been excluded from the law.

Negev village subjected to threats by nearby Bedouin tribe

Members of a Bedouin tribe have been burning tires, spraying graffiti, and hanging threatening signs near Retamim, after a member of the village security team shot and killed a tribesman who infiltrated it.

Jared Kushner:

'A Palestinian state is a super bad idea'

Former US President Donald Trump's son-in-law suggests that Gazans should be moved to the Negev in order to allow the IDF to complete its military campaign against Hamas.

Jewish wisdom during the Tragedy of War

Bitter truths from Kohelet-Ecclesiastes that was read in Synagogues on Shabbat Shemini Atzeret October 7, 2023.

First religious Moshav in the Negev celebrates 77th anniversary

Moshav Tkuma in the Sdot Negev Regional Council celebrated its birthday in the unique style of its founding fathers.

Bedouin Arabs:

Israeli government working to move illegal villages

Bedouin Arab leaders in southern Israel stress: Residents of the illegal villages oppose government policies to move their homes.

New haredi city expected to reach population of 80,000

Ministers announce: Plans for 'Tila,' a new haredi city in southern Israel, are moving forward.

19 IDF soldiers injured in Negev crash

19 soldiers and a civilian were injured, including one moderately, in an accident at the Tlamlim Junction in southern Israel.

Netanyahu, Ben-Gvir agree to NIS 250M for Negev and Galilee

Additional budget for periphery sector clears hurdle to Otzma Yehudit's support for the State budget.

Wasserlauf meets Herzog:

'He's attentive to the residents of the Negev and the Galilee'

Minister Wasserlauf and President Herzog agree to promote projects that generate change and growth in the Negev and the Galilee.

Have we forgotten our forefather Avraham?

Judaism is founded on self-sacrifice. Every morning we read about the self-sacrifice Avraham and Yitzhak manifested in the Akeida. Op-ed.

Bedouin placed under house arrest after speeding

Bedouin Arab arrested for speeding is found to be driving with suspended license.

Tragedy in Negev:

Toddler killed in traffic collision, four others injured

Collision between two vehicles also left two in serious condition, including a six-year-old boy.

Bedouin who sexually assaulted 10-year-old sentenced to 5 years

Be'er Sheva court sentences Arab who sexually assaulted 10-year-old girl to 5 years in prison. 'The judges let the criminals off lightly.'

Security forces arrest Bedouin Arabs on their way to IDF base

Border Police officers confiscate tools for breaking and entering, arrest suspects making their way to military base.

Fine rural estate, 1,200 years old, uncovered in southern Israel

'A wealthy landowner, overseeing farmsteads in the northern Negev, may have resided on the estate,' excavation directors say.

Plan to build Negev's second hospital passes next stage

After several years' delay, plan to build second hospital in Be'er Sheva passes Economic-Social Cabinet.

Bedouin place rocks on train tracks in southern Israel

In southern Israel, Bedouin Arabs block train tracks with rocks.

Defense Min.:

'Jewish Israel may be limited to the center of the country only'

In closed conversations, Defense Min. Gantz warns Israel may lose Negev and Galilee, with Jewish state limited to central Israel only.

Op-ed:

The Negev two-state summit

To block criticism of the Iran deal, Blinken’s aim at the summit was to neutralize the Israeli-Arab anti-Iran alliance.Op-ed.

'Police not capable of dealing with civilian terror'

Ruvik Danilovich, mayor of Be'er Sheva, says police are 'beaten and bruised,' not capable of dealing with civilian terror.