Attempt to smuggle Iranian-made explosives foiled last month, Israel says

The military has cleared for publication that security forces foiled an attempt to smuggle Iranian-made explosives into Israel from Jordan last month.

The smuggling was foiled on July 24 in the Jordan Valley just south of the Sea of Galilee, near the Ashdot Ya’akov kibbutz.

Initially, few details were permitted for publication.

Authorities believe the explosives were being spirited in for use by terror groups in the West Bank.

Weapons smuggling from Jordan is a constant challenge for Israel, along its long, porous eastern border, and in the West Bank. Officials believe most guns are being used in underworld crime, and have vowed to crack down as part of an effort to end years of bloodshed in the Arab community.

According to police data, security authorities have seized 506 handguns, 24 assault rifles, and eight explosives, in 26 separate smuggling attempts on the Jordan border since the beginning of the year.

Last week, the Shin Bet security agency revealed that in July, four Israeli citizens were arrested for suspected ties to the Hezbollah terror group, and were allegedly involved in smuggling Iranian-made explosive devices into the country.