IDF uncovers large amount of weaponry in Jordan valley

The IDF said on Saturday night that it found a stash of weapons in the Jordan Valley last week.

By World Israel News Staff

The IDF revealed that its forces, together with Israeli police, conducted searches in which they located a large amount of weaponry, including 19 pistols, five Kalashnikov assault rifles, a rifle and ammunition in the northern Jordan Valley area.

The weapons were found in conjunction with an an Israeli Police investigation that followed an October 7 search in the area in which a gun and ammunition were found. Those were transferred to security forces.

There are an estimated 400,000-450,000 illegal weapons in Israel, mainly among the Arab sector and criminal elements.

Part of the illegal weapons stash discovered by the IDF. (IDF Spokesperson’s Unit)

Violence in the Arab communities has recently been in the news after a spate of killings. Arab politicians blame poor Israeli policing but Israeli politicians say Arab culture is to blame.

Minister of Public Security Gilad Erdan said “Arab society, and I say that with sadness, is a very violent society. It’s connected to the culture there. A lot of disputes that end here with a lawsuit, there they pull out a knife and gun.”

“It has to do with the fact that a mother can give a son permission to murder his sister because she is dating a man who isn’t liked by the family,” Erdan added.

The IDF didn’t say if it thought the weapons were meant to be used for internal Arab disputes or against Israeli citizens in terrorist attacks.

In related news, overnight between Friday and Saturday, a terrorist shot towards an IDF post from a passing vehicle adjacent to the village of Antaba, east of Tulkarm. No injuries were reported.

Arab sectorIDFIllegal weapons