Security forces bust gun-running operation on Jordanian border, seize 13 firearms

Israeli safety forces arrested two males in southern Israel on Monday morning suspected of smuggling weapons from Jordan, confiscating over a dozen rifles and handguns within the course of.

In keeping with Israel Police and the Israel Protection Forces, the 2 males of their 20s and 30s from Bedouin villages within the Dimona space have been caught close to the Israeli city of Neot Hakikar and located to be in possession of 5 M16 assault rifles, a sniper rifle, and 7 pistols.

Police stated that they had been following a community of gun smugglers within the space for a number of months, with Monday’s suspects being a part of that community.

Regulation enforcement officers have beforehand indicated that weapons smuggled in from Jordan are sometimes bought to Arab Israelis, for each felony and terrorist functions.

The navy and police have stepped up efforts to halt smuggling makes an attempt alongside the Jordanian border in current months, however some officers have admitted that success has been restricted to date.

In contrast to Israel’s different frontiers — with Egypt, Lebanon and Syria — its border with Jordan is essentially open, typically with out vital fencing, and is comparatively unguarded, making it a simple channel for large-scale smuggling.

Chief Superintendent Ronen Kalfon, commander of the police anti-smuggling Magen unit, stated Monday’s incident was the seventh smuggling it had thwarted this yr, with over 140 weapons seized. “We’re within the midst of an ongoing battle towards the plague of unlawful weapons,” Kalfon stated.

View of the border between Israel and Jordan, within the Jordan valley, within the West Financial institution, on June 17, 2020. (Yaniv Nadav/Flash90)

Authorities have more and more sought to crack down on the unmitigated unfold of unlawful weapons within the Arab Israeli group, which have been used to hold out record-breaking numbers of murders lately.

In keeping with the Abraham Initiatives, a gaggle lobbying towards violence within the Arab group, final yr 125 Arabs have been killed in Israel in group violence — an all-time report. For the reason that starting of 2022, one other 44 have been killed in incidents of violence.

It is not (solely) about you.

Be a part of the Occasions of Israel Neighborhood

Be a part of our Neighborhood

Already a member? Check in to cease seeing this

You are a devoted reader

We’re actually happy that you simply’ve learn X Occasions of Israel articles prior to now month.

That’s why we began the Occasions of Israel ten years in the past – to supply discerning readers such as you with must-read protection of Israel and the Jewish world.

So now we’ve got a request. In contrast to different information retailers, we haven’t put up a paywall. However because the journalism we do is expensive, we invite readers for whom The Occasions of Israel has turn into necessary to assist assist our work by becoming a member of The Occasions of Israel Neighborhood.

For as little as $6 a month you’ll be able to assist assist our high quality journalism whereas having fun with The Occasions of Israel AD-FREE, in addition to accessing unique content material obtainable solely to Occasions of Israel Neighborhood members.

Thanks,
David Horovitz, Founding Editor of The Occasions of Israel

Be a part of Our Neighborhood

Be a part of Our Neighborhood

Already a member? Check in to cease seeing this