Trucks Torched at Dudaim Waste Site in Suspected Negev Extortion Attack

Four trucks belonging to the recycling company Negev Ecology were set on fire Thursday evening at the Dudaim waste site near Beersheba. The Rahat Police suspect that the incident was an intentional arson attack, with preliminary estimates placing the damage between four and five million shekels. Representatives at the Dudaim site warned that the destruction of the vehicles could soon disrupt municipal garbage collection across the southern region.

Impact on Regional Waste Management

Saar Harazi, CEO of the Dudaim Economic Corporation, explained that Negev Ecology plays a vital environmental role, providing transportation, collection, and waste management services for numerous local authorities. "Due to the disabling of four compactor trucks, I am forced to open the site on Saturday so that local authorities are not swamped with garbage," Harazi stated. He emphasized that the incident is severe and points to extortion, commonly known as protection racket pressure, as the underlying motive.

"I suffer a great deal from break-ins at the site," said Harazi. "The damage to the trucks is a severe blow. First and foremost, it undermines the security of the workers at the site. This is an essential facility. Dudaim receives and processes waste from the entire Negev region, serving both Jewish and Arab municipalities."

Rising Crime and Extortion in the South

Harazi noted that the recycling company can currently struggle to reach certain southern localities, warning residents that trash accumulation might increase in the coming weeks. He detailed a pattern of intimidation, mentioning that a fragmentation grenade was thrown at the Dudaim site three months ago alongside various shooting incidents. "I wish I could deal only with waste, but we are forced to change operational work routines to bridge the gaps," he added, noting that some employees are now reluctant to report to work.

This incident follows another high-profile case from the previous week when criminals torched the electrical room of a wastewater treatment plant operated by the Neve Midbar water corporation in the Negev. The arson caused raw sewage from the Hebron Stream to flow toward Beersheba, raising severe environmental and odor concerns across multiple southern communities. The Ministry of Environmental Protection estimated that restoring the wastewater treatment facility could take several weeks.