The Shin Bet and Yamar special operations police force on Thursday arrested a gang that specialized in throwing firebombs on Israeli cars driving on Highway 6.

Most members of the gang are minors and residents of the Arab village of Bir a-Sika. They carried out several such attacks in recent weeks, and were planning more.

Under questioning, the detainees said they threw firebombs at vehicles traveling south from the Ein Tut junction near Yoqne’am along Highway 6, one of Israel’s main north-south highways. 

Along with the firebombs, which were thrown in two instances, the gang also threw rocks and bricks at cars on the highway.

Security officials found the gang after a second attack occurred a few days after several other attacks were carried out by a gang from the Arab town of Tira, near Kfar Sava.

In a statement, the Shin Bet said that “we see these incidents as very serious. It was a miracle that no one was injured. Terror incidents like these will be treated with the utmost seriousness.”

Indictments were handed down against the gang members for weapons possession, conspiracy to endanger the lives of innocent people, and interfering with traffic on a public highway. If convicted, the defendants face up to 20 years in prison.