An IDF soldier was abducted from Be’er Sheva in broad daylight, forced into a vehicle, blindfolded, bound, robbed and taken toward Palestinian Authority territory in the southern Hebron area, according to Israeli police details reported by Ynet.  

Investigators say the main suspect is Waleed Farukh, 49, an employee of the Palestinian Authority’s General Intelligence service. He was arrested on suspicion of kidnapping, threats, harming regional security, harming IDF activity and illegal entry into Israel. Police say the initial motive appears criminal rather than terror-related.  

The soldier was reportedly left injured and tied up in an open area, but managed to break free, call for help and reach Palestinian police. He was taken to a station in Tarkumiya before being transferred back to Israeli authorities and giving formal testimony.  

The Be’er Sheva court extended the suspect’s detention by four days. The judge warned that even if the motive was criminal, a PA resident allegedly entering Israel illegally, abducting an IDF soldier from a major Israeli city and moving him into PA territory cannot be separated from the post-October 7 security reality.