43 suspects with alleged Islamic State affiliation arrested since Beersheba attack

In the wake of two deadly attacks committed by men affiliated with Islamic State, 43 suspects who allegedly sympathize with the jihadist group have been arrested, according to Hebrew-language media reports.

The reports say 36 of them are from northern Israel.

Last Tuesday, an Arab Israeli man from the southern town of Hura — previously jailed for attempting to join Islamic State — killed four people at a shopping center in Beersheba.

And on Sunday, two cousins from Umm al-Fahm — one of whom had been previously jailed for attempting to join Islamic State — killed two police officers at a bus stop in Hadera.

The jihadist group has claimed responsibility for both attacks, but it does not appear the terrorists were instructed by it to commit them.

Police officials say the wave of arrests against those affiliated with Islamic State is expected to continue in the coming days.