ASHKELON — The Southern District Prosecutor's Office filed an indictment against 22-year-old Dimona resident Osher Peretz on Wednesday in the Beersheba District Court. Peretz faces charges of weapons offenses and preparing a dangerous substance following his arrest on July 1, 2026, for allegedly planting an explosive device at an Ashkelon playground.

Prosecutors allege Peretz constructed a 25-centimeter-long explosive device and hid it beneath a bush near the playground. People visiting the park noticed a suspicious object and alerted police. A bomb disposal technician was called to examine the object.

Police determined the object was a powerful explosive device assembled in a sophisticated manner. It was approximately 1.9 centimeters in diameter with screws attached to the cylinder. Two metal caps were fitted to the ends of the cylinder, and a large hole had been drilled into one cap, allowing activation wires to pass through. The detonation mechanism, designed for remote activation, was secured to the cylinder with adhesive tape. The bomb disposal technician dismantled the device, and its components were sent for examination.

Investigators believe Peretz did not wear rubber gloves while assembling the device, and his fingerprints were found on several components, primarily on the caps attached to the ends of the cylinder. His fingerprints were also found on the container that held the explosive substance. Location-tracking data indicated that Peretz had been in the area where the device was found, according to investigators.

Peretz denied constructing or concealing the device. After investigators informed him that his fingerprints were found on the caps, he acknowledged touching the fasteners but continued to deny coming into contact with the explosive device itself. Additionally, Peretz stated he had not been in the Ashkelon area where the device was discovered.

Attorney Hila Malul wrote in the indictment, "Through his actions described in the facts above, the defendant manufactured the improvised explosive device, which is capable of causing damage and constitutes a weapon, without lawful authorization to carry out the act." The indictment further stated Peretz "unlawfully possessed a weapon and committed an act, or knowingly possessed an explosive substance, or a machine or any other object that is harmful or dangerous, with the intention of committing a crime or enabling another person to commit the crime." Prosecutors requested that Peretz remain under full house arrest following the indictment, stating, "Peretz manufactured and possessed an improvised explosive device capable of harming a person." The request also cited, "The severity of his actions and the danger he poses are heightened by the fact that the explosive device was located in the playground, which could have led to mass casualties, including injuries to children."