Network Smuggling Weapons from Syria to Israel Exposed

The Israeli Security Agency (Shin Bet), Israeli Police, and the IDF arrested a number of residents of northern Israel, including 5 soldiers and reservists, as well as several Syrian civilians, on suspicion of smuggling weapons from Syria to Israel via the Syrian village of Hajar, near the Golan Heights border.

Network Details and Contraband

• Smuggling Destination: According to the investigation, the smuggled weapons were transferred to criminal elements operating in northern Israel.

• Unusual Shipment: Intelligence gathered by the Shin Bet revealed that days before the arrests, the network attempted to bring in an "unusually large shipment of weapons," including explosives, RPG shells, assault rifles, and large quantities of ammunition.

• Key Suspects:

  • Iyad Halabi (45) from Yarka: A First Sergeant in a brigade in the northern sector.

  • Rami Abu Shah (49) from Shfaram: The intended recipient of the weapons, who allegedly was in contact with:

  • Rawad Al-Bassar (25): A Syrian citizen involved in large-scale weapon smuggling.

Seizure and Investigation

• Night Operation: During a night operation last month, IDF forces found dozens of firearms and arrested three suspected Syrians involved in the smuggling in southern Syria.

• Shin Bet Investigation: The weapons seized on the Syrian side were handed over to the Shin Bet for investigation, which uncovered plans to smuggle them into Israel.