Givot Bar residents on shooting from Rahat area: 'Very reminded us of Oct. 7'

Residents of Givot Bar settlement in northern Negev reported on Saturday heavy gunfire with light weapons and machine guns from Rahat city area, intensified from 6:29 a.m. and lasted 4 hours, threatening to establish independent force to locate source of fire.

According to residents, shooting began in night hours and intensified especially from 6:29 a.m., time when Hamas massacre began on Oct. 7. 'Very reminded us of Oct. 7. That same experience of waking to wild shooting on Saturday,' wrote residents in settlement internal group.

Settlement manager, Bili, wrote that from 6:30 a.m. until 10:30 were heard 'heavy bursts of automatic weapons (MAG) that sounded like breach into settlement,' and added that settlement has no authority to alert reserve company. According to residents, shooting already ongoing for week, and at emergency hotline 100 they were told patrols were sent but source of fire not located.

"Givot Bar residents finished waiting," said Bili. According to her, if current response does not change, residents will establish independent response force that will go to field in real time to locate source of fire, within settlement and outside it.

From police noted that this morning two suspects arrested for interrogation, and in recent days three additional suspects arrested and handguns, M16s and magazines seized. According to police, Rahat police officers continue in activity at this time as well.