Drone gun-running ring from Jordan to West Bank busted, five suspects indicted
Shin Bet, IDF and police uncover cross-border smuggling network using drones; dozens of weapons trafficked to Israel
A joint operation by the Shin Bet, the Israel Police Southern District Major Crimes Unit and the Israel Defense Forces uncovered a weapons smuggling ring operating from the eastern border to the West Bank, authorities said, with five suspects, including four Israeli citizens, now indicted.
The investigation began several months ago following intelligence obtained by the Shin Bet, which, in collaboration with specialized police units, led IDF forces to identify a drone crossing from Jordan into Israeli territory in the areas of the IDF’s 96th and 80th divisions. The drone was intercepted while carrying several handguns.
During the investigation, four Israeli citizens and a West Bank resident were arrested on suspicion of involvement in the smuggling infrastructure. Two of the suspects were apprehended in real time during a smuggling attempt, in possession of 10 pistols and 10 corresponding magazines.
Palestinian schoolchildren sit near a barbed wire fence installed by settlers, which blocked their access to the school in the village of Umm al-Khair in Masafer Yatta, West Bank, April 14, 2026. (credit: REUTERS/YOSRI ALJAMAL)
Smuggled weapons sold to West Bank contact
Authorities named the suspects as Negev residents Ahel al-Tsaraia, Midian al-Tsaraia, Zaid Abu Guyeid and Ali al-Tsaraia, along with Natsar Nagada, a resident of Yatta in the West Bank. The investigation revealed that the group was involved in multiple smuggling operations from the Jordanian border using drones, during which approximately 44 pistols were smuggled into Israel and some 120 kilograms of hashish was smuggled into Jordan.
Investigators further determined that some of the smuggled weapons, including M-16 rifles and ammunition, were sold to a contact based in the West Bank, who then distributed them throughout the area.
Following the investigation, indictments were filed against the suspects.
