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Two residents of the Negev region have been arrested for their involvement in a weapons smuggling operation, Israeli authorities announced on Monday.
The arrests followed a joint investigation by the Israel Police Southern District’s Magen Unit and Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency).
Zaher Abu Rakeik, a resident of Bir Hadaj, and Imad Huashla, from the village of Huashla/Al-Qasr as-Sir, were apprehended in November 2024.
They were taken into custody on suspicion of smuggling firearms across the Sinai border into Israel. During their questioning, authorities uncovered substantial evidence linking the suspects to a series of smuggling attempts.
The investigation revealed that the two men were behind an October 19, 2024, operation aimed at smuggling eight firearms and ammunition across the Sinai border.
However, the attempt was thwarted when the IDF’s Paran Brigade intercepted the weapons using a drone, preventing their transfer into Israeli territory.
Further investigation into the suspects’ activities uncovered their involvement in an additional smuggling attempt.
As part of this probe, Israeli security forces seized a MAG rifle and an M-16 assault rifle, both of which had been part of the illegal operation.
This incident is part of a larger trend of increasing cross-border weapons smuggling in recent months.
The escalation in smuggling activity has raised concerns about security in the region, with authorities focusing on preventing the flow of illegal firearms into Israel.
In light of the ongoing investigation, the Israel Police filed an indictment on Monday, charging Abu Rakeik and Huashla with multiple offenses related to weapons smuggling.
This case follows a similar pattern of smuggling operations across various regions of Israel. In November 2024, the IDF and Israel Police announced they had intercepted multiple individuals attempting to smuggle 14 pistols and over 65 weapon parts into the country.
The smugglers were stopped near the Adam Bridge in the Jordan Valley, highlighting the continued efforts by security forces to crack down on weapons trafficking.
The rise in cross-border smuggling is of particular concern as it not only poses a security threat but also fuels violence within Israeli borders.
Authorities are increasingly concerned about the rising number of smuggling attempts and are working to strengthen surveillance and detection methods along the Sinai border and other sensitive areas.
The joint efforts of the Israel Police and Shin Bet have been instrumental in uncovering and halting many such operations, and the arrest of Abu Rakeik and Huashla underscores the ongoing commitment to combatting organized smuggling activities.
As the investigation progresses, Israeli authorities are intensifying their focus on the broader networks involved in arms trafficking, with hopes of dismantling the infrastructure that facilitates the illegal transfer of weapons into the country.