Israeli police deploy rooftop snipers in Bedouin city of Rahat

Israeli police have stationed snipers on rooftops in Rahat, a Bedouin city in southern Israel, saying they would “neutralise” gunmen who open fire. The deployment follows reports of heavy daytime gunfire and the reported discovery of weapons caches in the area. Rahat Mayor Talal al-Kernawi said the city had experienced clashes involving six families over the past month, in which two young people were killed. “In recent days there has been nonstop gunfire that is endangering the lives of innocent civilians who are not involved in the conflicts,” he told Haaretz.