Israeli military. Photo: IDF
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and Israeli Police are investigating whether Hezbollah was involved in a recently prevented attempt to smuggling weapons from Lebanon into northern Israel.
Last night IDF and Police forces thwarted a large weapons smuggling attempt on the Lebanese border near Ghajar. pic.twitter.com/4BqveA8c0t
— Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) July 10, 2021
The smuggling attempt was thwarted on July 9. The Israeli Police, with help from the IDF, seized 43 handguns and ammunition estimated to worth some $820,000. The attempt took place near the village of Ghajar.
“The IDF is examining the possibility that the smuggling attempt was carried out with the help of the Hezbollah terror organization, and is investigating, along with the Israeli Police, the perpetrators of the weapon smuggling attempt,” a statement by the IDF reads.
Israeli officials believe that the handguns and ammunition were meant for Arab-Israeli activists backed by Hezbollah, according to the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation and Channel 13.
43 weapons were confiscated.
The IDF says it is looking into the possibility that Hezbollah are involved in the smuggling attempt. pic.twitter.com/XbwbHkDLGD
— Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) July 10, 2021
Furthermore, Israeli officials told Channel 12 that Hezbollah wants to arm others for an attack within Israel, rather than launching a direct attack on the separation line. The group wants to avoid any confrontation that may affect crisis-struck Lebanon.
Hezbollah has not commented on Israel’s accusations, yet. These accusations may be an attempt by Tel Aviv to ignite a political crisis for Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Smuggling from Lebanon to northern Israel is not uncommon. Nevertheless, weapons are rarely trafficked across the separation line.
