Weapons smuggling has become growing problem as violence in Palestinian territories increases

Rifles, pistols and weapons lathe discovered in security raid overnight near Ramallah

Israel has been facing a significant increase in weapons smuggling, coinciding with a rise in violent attacks that began last year.

The increase in terror violence led the previous government to initiate Operation Break the Wave, meant to combat the attacks and prevent the wave of violence from becoming another Intifada.

Analysts, such as Seth Frantzman of the Jerusalem Post have written about the increase in weapons smuggling, warning that the rise in violence will continue until the flow of weapons is stopped.

On Wednesday night, investigators from the Judea and Samaria District Central Unit raided the home of a 26-year-old Palestinian believed to be operating an illicit weapons operation in Beitunia, near Ramallah.

Intelligence of the suspected illegal weapons lab was received from an undercover investigator.

During the raid, which involved Israel Defense Forces, Border Police and police officers from the District’s Central Unit, the forces found three M-3 rifles, six pistols, dozens of other weapons, including ammunition magazines, knives and military equipment like tactical vests and night vision goggles, as well as several electric stunning devices.

Forces also found several lathes which were being used to convert weapons. The lathes were destroyed by IDF engineers.

Israeli security forces also searched the house of the suspect, where they found an M-16 rifle with six magazines, a “Jericho” pistol with two magazines, boxes of ammunition for the pistol and rifle rounds hidden in cigarette packs.

An ammunition container full of bullets for the M-16 was discovered under the bed of a child who was sleeping in the house.

Two other suspects were arrested during the house raid, a mother and her son, who were taken for questioning.

Earlier today, the IDF announced the seizure of weapons, ammunition and money found in a suspicious vehicle during a training exercise. The seized items are believed to be connected to weapons smuggling.

Yesterday, the Israeli military forces announced the discovery of a weapons cache in a nursery school in Hebron.

Earlier this month, the IDF destroyed a weapons laboratory used for the construction of improvised explosive devices in Balata.