Story perspectives

Thieves Caught Looting Ancient Sites Amid Missile Alerts

3/17/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Two antiquities thieves were apprehended at the Horvat Hermesh site in northern Israel after illegally excavating Roman and Byzantine remains.
The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) and Border Police detained the suspects.
Missile sirens forced shelter during the operation.
Nir Distelfeld, an Israel Antiquities Authority supervisor, condemned the looters.
In a separate incident, two residents from Fureidis were caught looting at the Horvat Hadarim site.

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Story summary

Two antiquities thieves were apprehended at the Horvat Hermesh site in northern Israel after illegally excavating Roman and Byzantine remains.
The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) and Border Police detained the suspects.
Missile sirens forced shelter during the operation.
Nir Distelfeld, an Israel Antiquities Authority supervisor, condemned the looters.
In a separate incident, two residents from Fureidis were caught looting at the Horvat Hadarim site.