Police arrest man suspected of stealing thousands of archaeological artifacts

Authorities seized thousands of archaeological artifacts and arrested a suspect accused of conducting illegal excavations and stealing antiquities during an operation in the Jericho area of the West Bank, the Israel Police say in a statement.

The raid was carried out by inspectors from the Civil Administration’s Archaeology Unit, together with Border Police officers and Israel Defense Forces troops from the Jordan Valley Brigade.

Authorities say the suspect was initially apprehended while carrying metal detectors, excavation tools and archaeological objects. He was taken for questioning by the Archaeology Unit, where investigators concluded he had conducted unauthorized excavations in Area C of the West Bank and uncovered ancient coins.

צה"ל, המשטרה ומתפ"ש:

אלפי פריטים ארכיאולוגיים נתפסו: יחידת קמ״ט ארכיאולוגיה במנהל האזרחי בשיתוף לוחמי מג״ב איו״ש, לוחמי חטיבת הבקעה והעמקים סיכלו חשד לחפירות בלתי חוקיות ולגניבת עתיקות בבקעת הירדן

במסגרת פעילות יזומה בהובלת רכזי קמ״ט ארכיאולוגיה במנהל האזרחי יחד עם לוחמי מג״ב… pic.twitter.com/xZIpyo3VUf

— עברית NTD חדשות (@NTDHEBREW) July 27, 2026

Following the investigation, officers, assisted by IDF soldiers, searched the suspect’s home, where they said they found thousands of additional archaeological items from the Persian, Hellenistic, and Hasmonean periods. Metal detectors and excavation equipment were also found and seized.

The recovered artifacts were transferred to the Civil Administration’s Archaeology Unit for further investigation.

The operation was part of an ongoing effort to combat illegal excavations and disrupt the illicit antiquities trade in the West Bank, police say.