Border Police officers arrested seven illegal infiltrators near Jerusalem on Thursday, including a driver who allegedly disguised himself as a Haredi Jew in an attempt to evade security checks.

During an operation at the a-Za’ayyem Crossing, officers noticed a suspicious vehicle and stopped it for inspection. A search of the vehicle uncovered six passengers who did not have permits to enter or remain in Israel.

Police said further investigation found that the driver was also an illegal infiltrator. He had allegedly grown payos, dressed in Charedi clothing and wore a kippah.

Officers also discovered that the vehicle had been taken off the road and was fitted with replacement license plates.

All seven suspects, residents of the Hebron and Tulkarm areas, were arrested and transferred to the Jerusalem Envelope Border Police investigations and intelligence unit for further questioning. The vehicle was towed and transferred for seizure proceedings.

This article was independently written by the BJL Newsroom based on reporting from Israel National News and additional published reports.