Criminal10/22/2026

Contractor's Detention Extended in NIS 6 Million Fraud Case

The Beersheba Magistrate's Court extended the detention of contractor Shalom Siso of Yavne by four days on suspicion of committing economic and tax offenses worth NIS 6 million. Two other people involved in the case were released to house arrest under restrictive conditions.

Key facts

•Court: Beersheba Magistrate's Court
•The decision was issued on October 22, 2026
•Siso’s detention was extended until October 26, 2026
•Estimated value of the offenses—NIS 6 million
•Twenty-one suspects were arrested in the case
•Neither a case number nor the statutory provisions applied were specified

What the Contractor Is Suspected Of

The investigation links the case to infrastructure work for the Israel Defense Forces in the Gaza Strip during the “Swords of Iron” War. The state’s representative reported suspicions involving the distribution and deduction of fictitious invoices, as well as fuel that was not actually supplied. As part of the broader investigation, suspicions of fuel theft and bribery of Israel Defense Forces personnel are also being examined, but Siso’s specific role in each of these acts was not established in the source.

Why the Court Kept Siso in Detention

The police requested an eight-day extension of the detention, citing hundreds of investigative actions that had not yet been carried out and concern that the investigation could be obstructed. Judge Eran Tzabari ruled that this concern was substantial at the initial stage of the overt investigation, but granted the request only in part—until October 26, 2026. The court also demanded that the investigation in Siso’s case be expedited and ordered an attempt to transfer him to a wing with a larger number of Hebrew-speaking detainees.

What Was Decided Regarding the Two Other Suspects

Ran Rahmani and Zeidan Abu Amar were released to house arrest and required to remain under the supervision of relatives for seven days. The court permitted them to leave on October 27, 2026, to participate in voting. The source does not state whether indictments were filed against any of those involved.

Scope of the Investigation

Twenty-one people were arrested in the case: 16 civilians linked to contracting companies and five career soldiers in the Israel Defense Forces. The investigation is being conducted by the Southern District Economic Unit in Lahav 433, the Military Police’s Central Unit for Special Investigations, and Beersheba VAT investigators from the Tax Authority. According to investigators’ suspicions, civilian contractors may have exploited the work in Gaza to unlawfully obtain millions of shekels.

What this means for you

Extending detention during an investigation does not mean that a person has been convicted: the court considers, among other things, the risk of obstructing the collection of evidence. The decision shows that a suspect may be kept in detention in economic investigations, but the court may shorten the period requested by the police and demand that investigative proceedings be expedited. At the same time, other people involved may be released to their homes under supervision and restrictions.

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Case analysis based on court rulings