“The Hittin area is recognized as an archaeological complex of historical importance,” said Nir Distelfeld, supervisor of the Antiquities Authority’s robbery prevention unit in the north.

A gang of four antiquities robbers was caught red-handed on Sunday afternoon while digging inside an ancient Roman-period burial cave near Hittin, on the edge of the Arbel Valley, the Israel Antiquities Authority announced on Monday.

The suspects caused severe damage to the site, which is located in a protected antiquities area.