• According to Israeli media reports, an individual from the Bedouin village of Tarabin al-Sana in southern Israel was shot dead in a police operation to detain suspects linked to recent “price-tag” attacks during the overnight hours of January 3-4. 
• Police reportedly stated that the suspect endangered officers, prompting them to open fire. 
• Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben Gvir, released a statement supporting the officers who operated in Tarabin al-Sana, emphasizing that “those who endanger our police officers and fighters must be neutralized,” and vowed to continue law enforcement operations in the Negev. 

The incident comes amid ongoing law enforcement raids in the Bedouin town of Tarabin al-Sana targeting suspects accused of torching vehicles in neighboring Jewish locales, reportedly in retaliation for police anti-crime operations. The use of live fire on a suspect, causing his death, will further escalate tensions among Israel’s Bedouin communities in the Negev region. FORECAST: This increases the likelihood of protests and riots materializing in southern Israel, particularly around Tarabin al-Sana and other Bedouin locales in the region. This may also impact roads running near these locales, including Route 40. An increased law enforcement deployment can be expected in response, with further clashes between police and rioters likely. Protests and unrest are unlikely to materialize in or impact central or northern Israel. 

1. Those operating or residing in Israel on January 4 are advised to avoid nonessential travel to Tarabin al-Sana and surrounding locales due to the increased likelihood of protests and unrest in response to the suspect’s death.  
2. Allot for disruptions to travel on roads surrounding Tarabin al-Sana, including Route 40.