Criminal9/6/2026

MATADOR Missile Stolen From the IDF Found Near Shefa-Amr

Northern District police officers found a disposable MATADOR anti-tank launcher near Shefa-Amr that, according to the source, was stolen from the IDF. Two suspects were arrested, and police intend to ask the court to extend their detention.

Key facts

•Location of discovery: Shefa-Amr area
•Two suspects were arrested
•One of the detainees was staying in Israel illegally
•The weapon: a 90 mm MATADOR
•Police will request an extension of the detention
•The case number and hearing date were not specified

Discovery of the Weapon and the Arrests

The weapon was found on Saturday near Shefa-Amr. Two suspects were arrested at the scene, one of whom, according to the police statement, was staying in Israel illegally. The Galilee District Central Unit is continuing the investigation.

What the Court Will Be Required to Decide

Police said that, in accordance with the results of the investigation, they will bring the detainees before the court and request an extension of their detention. The source does not state the court’s decision itself, the suspicions attributed to the suspects, or the legal classification of the possible offenses. The statutory provisions on which the police request will be based are also not specified.

Why the MATADOR Poses a Special Danger

The MATADOR is a lightweight, disposable 90 mm weapon designed to breach walls, demolish fortifications, and strike armored vehicles. It was developed by the Israeli company Rafael in cooperation with entities from Germany and Singapore and is supplied exclusively to official security bodies. According to Walla, in recent years weapons of this type that were removed from IDF bases have already been found in the possession of criminal organizations.

The Risks to Area Residents

The source links the discovery to the ongoing conflict between two criminal organizations in Shefa-Amr and the surrounding area, although it does not report whether the investigation established such a connection. In recent years, approximately 40 people have been murdered as part of the conflict. The use of this type of military weapon in a residential area could lead to the destruction of buildings and numerous casualties.

What this means for you

The arrest itself does not indicate guilt: the court is required to decide on the police request whether to continue holding the suspects in detention. For Shefa-Amr residents, the seizure of such a weapon means the removal of the immediate risk that it will be used, but the source does not report an indictment or final conclusions from the investigation.

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