Israel Police announced that Border Police National Guard units carried out a sweep of targeted operations across the country this week, arresting 28 people found staying in Israel illegally. The enforcement push comes as part of broader operational preparations ahead of Rosh Hashanah, with security forces ramping up proactive activity nationwide in the days leading into the holiday. Authorities said the effort went beyond simply detaining undocumented individuals, extending to operations against the transporters, employers and landlords accused of facilitating their presence in the country. All those arrested during the week's operations were taken into custody and transferred for further handling and investigation.

The bulk of the arrests took place in the north, where fighters from the Border Police's Northern Brigade located 22 illegal residents across the towns of Sakhnin and Tamra. Some of the suspects were found working inside local businesses, while others were caught during nighttime operations after attempting to flee as officers approached. Video footage released alongside the announcement shows officers in the unit's green uniforms conducting street interactions and vehicle searches, including the handcuffing of one suspect with visible tattoos during the enforcement action. The nighttime component of the operation underscores how deliberately the unit timed its activity to catch individuals off guard, rather than relying solely on daytime business inspections.

A smaller but still significant portion of the sweep unfolded in central Israel, where Border Police Central Brigade fighters located six additional illegal residents across the towns of Taibe and Kalansua. Combined with the northern operations, the week's total enforcement activity reached 28 arrests spread across four towns, reflecting a coordinated, multi region approach rather than an isolated raid. Officials framed the timing as intentional, noting that the buildup in activity is standard practice ahead of major Jewish holidays, when security forces typically intensify checks across the country. The dual focus on both the north and center suggests police view illegal residency as a nationwide enforcement priority rather than one confined to a single region.

Beyond the individuals detained, police emphasized that the operation's broader goal is deterrence aimed at the wider network that enables illegal residency to persist, including those who transport, employ or house undocumented individuals. By publicizing the arrests and accompanying video footage just before Rosh Hashanah, authorities appear to be sending a clear signal that enforcement will not slow down during the holiday season. All 28 suspects remain in the custody of Israeli authorities pending further investigation, with officials indicating that similar operations are expected to continue as part of the country's ongoing holiday security posture.