Middle East & North Africa
Israel: six people who crossed the Dead Sea from Jordan in inflatable boats arrested, reportedly Turkish nationals – Shin Bet involved
Six people who landed from Jordan near Ovnat on the Dead Sea in inflatable boats were detained overnight on November 14–15. Israeli media say they are reportedly Turkish nationals and likely irregular migrants seeking work; the Shin Bet is helping investigate.
Israeli security forces were put on alert during the night of Saturday to Sunday, November 15, 2026, when six people crossed the Dead Sea in inflatable boats, passing from Jordan into an area under Israeli control. The six were located and arrested, and Israel’s internal security service, the Shin Bet, is taking part in the investigation into the circumstances of the illegal crossing.
According to the Israeli television network i24NEWS, the detainees are reportedly Turkish nationals, and the latest information says at least one woman is among them. The case has mobilised the relevant agencies, which are trying to establish the motives of those involved and how the border crossing was organised.
The operation took place near the settlement of Ovnat, on the western side of the Dead Sea. Israeli surveillance systems detected an inflatable craft moving from the Jordanian side toward the opposite shore, and military forces and Border Police units were mobilised. Members of the special Matilan unit also took part in the search, supported by observation assets and forces operating in the area. The six suspects were noticed when they disembarked and began moving on foot westward, into the area under Israeli control.
Searches along the coastline followed, leading to the location and arrest of all those involved. According to the available information, the operation ended without an exchange of fire or injuries among Israeli forces.
The Shin Bet examines the circumstances of the crossing
The involvement of the Shin Bet is of particular interest. It does not mean, however, that terrorist activity or any other action against national security has been established. On the contrary, the initial assessments carried by Israeli media converge on the possibility that the detainees are irregular migrants who sought to enter the country for work.
Ynet initially reported that they were migrant workers of Turkish and Sri Lankan nationality, while i24NEWS later reported that all six are Turkish nationals. The discrepancy underlines that the identity and nationality of the detainees have not yet been fully confirmed by an official announcement from the Israeli authorities.
Other Israeli reports claim the detainees were unarmed and that, on the basis of the information so far, there are no indications of a terrorist motive. Despite these initial assessments, the investigation continues, as the authorities have not made public details of the route the six followed to Jordan or of any involvement of third parties in organising their movement.
