Israeli Security Forces Stop Huge Gun Smuggling from Jordan

On July 1, Israeli security forces announced they had intercepted the largest number of guns being smuggled into the country from Jordan since October 7. Soldiers identified three suspects crossing a border fence on Sunday night. After searching the area, they found three sacks containing more than 75 handguns and dozens of weapon parts. Forces are continuing to search for the smugglers.

Jordan has been dealing with efforts to smuggle weapons through the kingdom to Palestinian terror groups. This smuggling has also led to a rise in Israeli-Arab crime. In 2023, a record number of 244 Israeli-Arabs were murdered, more than double the 120 homicides in 2022, according to the Abraham Initiative. The increase in violence is due to organized crime groups fighting for control and eliminating rivals. These groups are involved in extortion, money laundering, and trafficking in weapons, drugs, and women.