Israel's defense establishment assesses that approximately half a million illegal handguns, rifles, and machine guns are currently circulating across the country, according to a single-source report. Smuggling flows are described as relentless, with interdictions only scratching the surface.
A security establishment assessment cited in a desk-reviewed report Monday morning estimates that roughly half a million illegal firearms — including handguns, rifles, and machine guns — are now present across Israel. The report describes smuggling routes as unrelenting and official interdictions as capturing only a fraction of the total flow, accusing the government of inaction on the issue.
The figure aligns with previous warnings by senior Israeli officials. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called illegal arms in Arab society an existential threat that 'dwarfs' the October 7 attack, as The Zioneer reported on June 19. The new assessment broadens the scope beyond Arab communities to the national level.
The estimate is attributed to an unnamed defense source and has not been independently corroborated. The source did not provide a breakdown by region or weapon type, or details on enforcement trends.
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- DevelopingSmotrich: Illegal arms in Arab society pose existential threat eclipsing October 7
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- DevelopingReport: 170 drones smuggled from Israel into Gaza by Bedouin gangs over 18 months
Source and signal
- Internal intake