Israel: Palestinian citizens break into Defence Ministry

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shows a slideshow during a briefing to ambassadors to Israel at the Hakirya military base in Tel Aviv, Israel on May 19, 2021 [SEBASTIAN SCHEINER/POOL/AFP via Getty Images]

Three Palestinian citizens of Israel were arrested last week after breaking into the Defence Ministry, local media reported on Sunday.

According to Haaretz, the Israeli police interrogated the three men on Friday and released them to house arrest. Details of the case were also sent to the Shin Bet internal security agency.

The ministry said that the three men scaled the fence and entered the Kirya military base. They were apprehended and arrested within minutes.

“From a preliminary investigation, it appears the suspects’ motives were criminal,” said the ministry. Haaretz reported them as saying that they were seeking cover after being assaulted by Jews nearby.

During the recent 11-day Israeli military offensive against Gaza, the country witnessed a massive surge in violence by Jewish settlers and police against Palestinian citizens. As well as physical attacks on individuals, shops were set ablaze and homes were raided.

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