A group of Bedouin criminals from southern Israel carried out a brazen daylight robbery on Tuesday in the Palestinian city of Ad-Dhahiriya, south of Hebron. The suspects, members of the Abu al-Qi’an tribe, disguised themselves as Israel Defense Forces (Tzva HaHagana LeYisrael, IDF) soldiers, wearing full military uniforms and tactical vests while armed with M-16 rifles and a handgun. Surveillance footage shows the men storming a jewelry store, carrying weapons, and driving a vehicle with Israeli license plates, complete with flashing emergency lights.
Security forces swiftly launched a manhunt, resulting in the arrest of three suspects—one Palestinian Arab and two Israeli Bedouin citizens—alongside the confiscation of their uniforms, rifles, helmets, and other military gear. The alleged ringleader was detained by Palestinian Authority security forces, and part of the stolen loot has already been returned to the shop owner.
This incident underscores the real and present danger of individuals impersonating IDF soldiers. As Eliram Azoulay, head of the Mount Hebron Regional Council, noted, “A vehicle carrying individuals dressed as combat soldiers could just as easily penetrate Tel Aviv, Be’er Sheva, or Jerusalem under the guise of an operation, without raising suspicion, exactly as happened today.”
The operation was meticulously planned, resembling a military-style raid. The suspects arrived in a van resembling an IDF security vehicle and were armed, body-armored, and masked. They broke into the jewelry store, took its contents, and fled southward. Israeli forces, including IDF soldiers, Border Police, and Judea District police, coordinated a rapid pursuit that led to their apprehension near as-Samua.
Authorities emphasize the seriousness of this breach. “This is another example of ongoing joint operations by the Israel Police, Border Police, and the IDF to combat serious crimes, including thwarting individuals who pose a threat to local and national security,” the police said. The presence of real weapons in the suspects’ hands could have easily escalated to mass murder, rather than theft, had their plan gone unchecked.
The spread of surveillance images on social media presents an additional danger: some Palestinians are now claiming that these images prove that IDF soldiers are looting stores. In reality, the IDF was not involved, but the deliberate impersonation of Israeli forces amplifies misinformation and threatens regional stability.
Azoulay’s warning is clear: immediate action is needed to address illegal weapons and prevent further impersonations. The IDF and police must act decisively to ensure that criminals do not exploit trust in Israel’s security forces for theft—or worse, terrorist attacks. Each day that armed Arab Israelis illegally enter Palestinian Authority territory increases the risk. A vehicle like this, carrying armed men in full combat gear, could strike anywhere in Israel if allowed to go unchecked.
This incident is a stark reminder that lawlessness and terrorism are never distant threats. Israel’s military and police response prevented what could have been a far deadlier outcome. Vigilance, strength, and decisive action remain the only barriers against chaos in a land where enemies exploit every opportunity to harm the nation and its people.