Indictments Filed Against Terrorist's Arms Suppliers in Beersheba Attack
Indictments were filed against three Negev residents for supplying weapons to the terrorist behind the deadly Beersheba central station shooting, which killed Border Police officer Shira Chaya Suslik.
Two years after the deadly shooting at the Beersheba central bus station, in which Border Police officer St. Sgt. Shira Chaya Suslik was killed and several others were wounded, indictments were filed against the terrorist's arms suppliers. The Southern District Prosecutor's Office submitted indictments to the Beersheba District Court against three Negev residents: Yahya al-Okbi (26), along with a father and his son, who was a minor at the time of the offenses.
The Arms Pipeline and Logistics
According to the indictment, the weapons transfer channel began in January 2024, when the terrorist Ahmed al-Okbi approached his relative, the father, asking for assistance in acquiring a handgun. The father involved his minor son, who contacted Yahya al-Okbi. The latter approached another party and agreed to purchase a Glock pistol for approximately 43,000 shekels, of which 3,000 shekels served as a brokerage fee.
Al-Okbi and the minor traveled to the Lahavim grove, where they received the Glock pistol for 20,000 shekels. The firearm was brought to the father's home, who inspected and approved its quality before instructing his son to deliver it to the terrorist, who paid part of the sum. Months prior to the October 2024 attack, the terrorist requested ammunition, for which al-Okbi procured a magazine and 50 rounds, selling them for 2,500 shekels.
Illegal Weapons Flow and Security Warnings
"The accessibility of illegal firearms in the Negev resembles a person going shopping at a supermarket," the prosecution noted in its remand request.
The current indictment aligns with a Shin Bet assessment from January, indicating that the weapon used in the attack stemmed from widespread weapons smuggling across the Egyptian and Jordanian borders. Security authorities warn that these combat arms are leaking from the criminal underworld into the hands of radical ideological actors. A similar pattern was identified in the Route 4 attack that same month, in which police officer Adir Kadosh was killed.
The investigation was conducted jointly by the Shin Bet, the Southern District Police (YAMAR), and Border Police undercover units.
