The Israel Police are embarking on a countrywide operation to clamp down on youth crime, with hundreds of Border Police officers participating in the initiative, the police announced on Tuesday.
The operation will include bolstering forces in crime-prone districts with both undercover and uniformed police officers, as well as assigning Border Police forces to sites of tension across the Tel Aviv area, such as entertainment centers and other public areas where violent incidents are expected.
The police's Investigations and Intelligence Division is running the operation, the police stated, with cooperation from the districts and the operational units.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said that the operation would reflect a "zero tolerance" approach to those who "disrupt public order, undermine governance, and harm citizens."
"The sight of teenagers engaging in murderous violence is unacceptable. We will not accept it, and we will root them out," Ben-Gvir stated.
"This will be an all-out war. We will restore security to the streets and peace to parents - anyone who harms Israeli citizens will encounter the heavy hand of the Israel Police and pay a heavy price."
Teenagers murder Pizza Hut employee on Independence Day
The operation comes after several instances of youth crime, including murders, occured over the last few weeks.
On Independence Day, Yemanu Binyamin Zalka, a 21-year-old released IDF soldier, was killed following his shift at Pizza Hut at the chain’s Kfar Ganim, in Petah Tikva, location after asking a group of teenagers to stop spraying silly string inside the restaurant.
Nine teenagers were arrested for the killing, with two later released to house arrest.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Zalka's family, as well as the family of Destaw Tsakul, who was also recently murdered by youths.
Netanyahu called for the murderers to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, and also expressed his shock and condolences for the crime.
Ariella Roitman contributed to this report.