An indictment was filed Monday against Salaam Amitil, 20, from the al-Azazma Bedouin tribe, accusing him of a series of weapons offenses. According to the indictment, Amitil coordinated with operatives in Egypt and collected weapons smuggled from Egypt via drones from various meeting points, then transported, concealed, and sold them to parties in Israel for tens of thousands of shekels per weapon.
An indictment filed Monday provides a detailed picture of a weapons smuggling network operating from Egypt into Israel using drones. The suspect, Salaam Amitil, 20, from the al-Azazma Bedouin tribe, is accused of coordinating with operatives in Egypt to receive weapons smuggled across the border via drones, then transporting, concealing, and selling them to parties in Israel for tens of thousands of shekels per weapon.
The Zioneer has previously reported on a series of similar cases. In late June, two Bedouin cousins were charged under a new sovereignty law for smuggling hashish into Egypt via drone. A Channel 14 report in early July detailed a broader Iran-to-Gaza weapons smuggling route also using Bedouin-operated drones. More recently, a video posted by a Bedouin from the al-Azazma tribe showed smugglers moving weapons from Egypt into the Negev, prompting calls for action.
The indictment, filed by the State Attorney's Office, is based on an investigation that uncovered the smuggling route and the suspect's role in the chain. The case underscores the growing challenge of drone-based smuggling along Israel's southern border, particularly of weapons that could be used for criminal or terrorist purposes.
Further details, including the specific types of weapons involved and the number of transactions, are expected to emerge as the legal proceedings advance.
- StrongIsraeli police charge two Bedouin drone smugglers under new sovereignty law
- StrongChannel 14 reports Iran-to-Gaza weapons smuggling route via Bedouin drones
- DevelopingVideo shows smugglers moving weapons from Egypt into the Negev; Ayelet Lash calls for action
- Strong8 soldiers from the Bedouin Reconnaissance Battalion accused of smuggling goods to Gaza
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