It has been authorized for publication that Staff Sergeant Niv Peretz is the police officer who was killed on Sunday by gunfire during a chase after ATVs in the Wadi Ara area. At age 28, Peretz served as a detective at the Umm al-Fahm station, and left behind parents, a brother, and a sister.
The police reported that overnight, numerous police forces operated with police helicopter support and conducted operational searches for suspects involved in the incident where the officer fell. During the operation, 14 suspects were arrested. According to investigative needs, the police will request to extend their detention in court. A senior source reports that police are investigating all investigative directions, including suspicion of two-way fire in the incident.
Niv was born in Afula and studied at a religious high school. Mother Tikva recounted, "He enlisted in the Border Police after wanting only Border Police. After his discharge, he enlisted in the police. He was a treasure. He wanted to buy a house. He was very beloved by his friends. He fought for the people of Israel. He didn't share with us, but I knew he was serving in dangerous places. He wanted to study and continue in his position. This is a great loss. He had plans to fly in two more days to Rhodes with friends. Instead, he fell to despicable murderers."
Afula Mayor Avi Elkabetz eulogized him on social media networks: "Participating in the sorrow of the dear Peretz family, on the fall of police officer Niv Peretz, who was shot to death during duty fulfillment while on police activity in the Wadi Ara area. Niv, sweet young man, engaged in important police activity and helped secure the residents of the State of Israel, but fell to despicable murderers."
Police Commissioner Major General Danny Levi addressed the incident: "We bow our heads with the death of detective Niv Peretz of blessed memory, who fell while fulfilling his duty during operational activity. I and all of Israel Police embrace the family in its difficult hour and will accompany it forever. This is a sad and painful incident. Staff Sergeant Peretz of blessed memory acted with determination and heroism, within the framework of initiated operational activity, to thwart a weapons deal and met his death while striving for contact."
The incident developed in an olive grove between Zalafa and Umm al-Fahm, when, apparently, a squad with an ATV tried to hide or smuggle weapons. A police force encountered the squad and began a chase after the ATV. The forces were led into a dense forest, where exchanges of fire began between the police officers and the squad; then, it appears the officer was shot. He was evacuated to HaEmek Hospital, where it was determined he died from his wounds.
The police said fire was opened from the direction of the ATV and that police forces are searching the area, trying to locate the suspects. Initial investigation reveals that this was an operational activity tracking a weapons squad, both operationally and intelligence-wise.
