Israeli security forces arrested 42 illegal Palestinian residents from Gaza in Nazareth overnight, Israel Police said on Tuesday morning.
As part of an operation aimed at preventing illegal stay offenses, Border Police and Israel Police officers searched various buildings in Nazareth to locate illegal residents.
Israel Police said in a statement that 28 illegal residents were found in one building, along with a large quantity of goods. Later on, the operating forces located 11 additional illegal residents hiding out in an apartment, and an furtheranother three in a second apartment.
An initial investigation revealed that all came from Gaza.
Further investigation
All those arrested, along with all the seized goods, were transferred to the Nazareth police station for further investigation.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir praised the security personnel involved in the operation, saying, “This is the policy – acting with determination, on the ground, with zero tolerance, and the results speak for themselves..”
Later on Tuesday afternoon, police arrested three Palestinian illegal residents who were discovered in a transport truck. The driver and the owner of the cargo were also detained for questioning.
A fourth Palestinian was also arrested, but police found that he had a valid residence permit. The other three were interrogated at the Modi’in Illit police station and later jailed at Ofer Prison.