IDF declares war on drone-based gun smugglers, turns Egyptian border into no-go zone

Katz declares area near Egyptian frontier a closed military zone as IDF struggles to clamp down on drone-based weapons smuggling by Bedouin gunrunners. 

By World Israel News Staff

The Israeli military is ramping up its efforts to foil the smuggling of weapons into the country from Egypt, amid the growing use of drone aircraft by Bedouin gunrunning gangs.

On Wednesday night, Defense Minister Israel Katz convened an emergency discussion on the threat of drone-based smuggling across the Israel–Egypt border.

The deliberation included the director general of the Defense Ministry, Maj. Gen. (res.) Amir Baram; the deputy chief of staff, Maj. Gen. Tamir Yadai; and representatives from the Defense Ministry, the IDF, the Shin Bet, the National Security Council, and the Israel Police.

At the conclusion of Wednesday night’s meeting, Katz decided to adopt the recommendation of Shin Bet chief David Zini, whereby the Egyptian frontier will be declared a closed military zone, barring civilians from entering the area.

Katz called the move a declaration of war on drone-based weapons smugglers, who have been caught illegally transferring not only small arms into Israel but also assault rifles and even heavy machine guns.

“I have convened you here to declare war on drone-based smuggling at the Israel–Egypt border. War is war — the current situation is dangerous to the state’s security and cannot continue,” said Katz.

“The smuggling of weapons by drones is part of the war in Gaza and is intended to arm our enemies — and every measure must be taken to stop it. Just as we created deterrence against Hezbollah in Lebanon regarding UAVs and firing on communities, here too deterrence must be created and it must be made clear to those engaged in smuggling that the rules of the game are changing — and they will pay a very heavy price if they do not cease.”

During Wednesday’s meeting, the Defense Ministry agreed to work in close conjunction with the Shin Bet to determine which methods will be most effective in halting the illegal flow of weapons from the Sinai Peninsula.

In addition, the Defense Ministry will coordinate efforts with the National Security Council and the Israel Air Force against drone-based smuggling gangs.

The Ramat HaNegev Regional Council, which is located along the Egyptian frontier, welcomed the Defense Ministry’s attention to the problem of weapons smuggling, but said the decision to declare the border area a closed military zone was too little, too late.

“We welcome the fact that the defense minister has adopted our view that anything crossing the border constitutes a terrorist act rather than a criminal one. However, there must be immediate and thorough action against the smugglers themselves and the illegal weapons that have already been smuggled in.”

“Declaring the Israel–Egypt border area a closed military zone does not change the current situation. The solution is to drain the swamp by shutting down the smuggling businesses and addressing the illegal weapons problem at its root through uncompromising enforcement activity.”

“The five communities of the Nitzana region constitute the only civilian settlements along the Egyptian border, from Bnei Netzarim to Eilat. Therefore, alongside the military move, we call on the ministers and members of the government to approve the government resolution—currently before them—to strengthen the Nitzana region.”

IDFIsrael KatzIsrael-Egypt border