TEL AVIV, Israel — Tel Aviv police district commander Chaim Saragrof criticized the Israel Defense Forces for failing to coordinate with law enforcement. “The army must coordinate entry into the city,” Saragrof said. “When they enter without coordinating with us, we can only respond.”

Two female soldiers, evacuated from the ultra-Orthodox city of Bnei Brak after clashes with residents, told police they had requested not to enter but were ordered to do so by their commanders. “We hid inside trash bins,” one said. “I was unarmed, which was lucky because I couldn’t have used a weapon against them anyway.” She added that she had worn a skirt to avoid confrontation and was warned by a local woman that they were not allowed in the building.

Authorities said the unrest escalated rapidly, including the torching of a police motorcycle. Police are reviewing surveillance footage to identify suspects and emphasized a zero-tolerance policy for disorder.

Saragrof said police would have escorted and supported the soldiers had they been informed in advance, preventing them from entering the city’s most sensitive areas alone.

A book of psalms and a prayer book that were burned in the police motorcycle set on fire by the rioters.

Ironic and terrible. pic.twitter.com/0y52oLK2Lv

— Amit Segal (@AmitSegal) February 15, 2026