IDF arrests PA officers for arms production, trafficking

Israel arrested four Palestinians, including two members of the Palestinian Authority security forces, on charges of illegal weapons production and trafficking.

Israeli security forces on Sunday night arrested four Palestinians, two of them members of the Palestinian Authority’s (PA) security forces, on charges of illegal weapons production and trafficking at the Palestinian village of Urif, near Shechem (Nablus).

The Shin Bet (Israel’s Security Agency) said that the forces seized improvised weapons of various sorts, ammunition and machines used to produce the improvised weapons.

It also stated that the weapons, an improvised M-16 assault rifle, Uzi submachine guns and Carl-Gustavs, were sold throughout Judea and Samaria.

The Shin Bet assesses that the four traded in Israel as well.

The four suspects were named as Assem Safdi, 39, a member of the PA’s intelligence services, Ali Safdi, 41, also a member of the PA’s intelligence services, Saadi Safdi, 45, and Najah Safdi, 24, all of Urif. They all appear to be family members.

“This operation is part of the ongoing effort to counter the weapons production and trafficking in the PA areas,” the Shin Bet stated.

Palestinian terrorists have recently used improvised assault weapons in several attacks against Israelis.