A joint operation by the Shin Bet, the Israel Police Southern District Major Crimes Unit, and the Israel Defense Forces has uncovered a weapons smuggling network operating from the eastern border into the West Bank, authorities announced, with five suspects, four of them Israeli citizens, now indicted.
The investigation began several months ago following intelligence obtained by the Shin Bet, which, together with specialized police units, led IDF forces to identify a drone crossing from Jordan into Israeli territory in the sectors of the IDF’s 96th and 80th divisions. The drone was intercepted while carrying several handguns.
Over the course of the investigation, four Israeli citizens and one resident of the West Bank were arrested on suspicion of involvement in the smuggling infrastructure. Two of the suspects were apprehended in real time during an attempted smuggling operation, in possession of 10 pistols and 10 matching magazines.
Smuggled weapons sold to a West Bank contact
Authorities named the suspects as residents of the Negev, Ahel al-Tsaraia, Madian al-Tsaraia, Zaid Abu Guyeid, and Ali al-Tsaraia, alongside Natsar Nagada, a resident of Yatta in the West Bank. The investigation found that the group was involved in multiple smuggling operations from the Jordanian border using drones, during which approximately 44 pistols were trafficked into Israel and some 120 kilograms of hashish were smuggled into Jordan.
Investigators further determined that some of the smuggled weapons, including M-16 rifles and ammunition, were sold to a West Bank-based contact, who then distributed them throughout the area.
At the conclusion of the investigation, indictments were filed against the suspects.