Overview
- The Southern District Prosecutor filed an indictment in Be'er Sheva against four Israeli citizens from the Bedouin community of Masoud al-Azazma following their arrests about a month ago.
- IDF forces shot down a drone carrying four FN‑MAG machine guns, with the weapons recovered at the scene.
- Investigators say the network flew drones from Egypt’s Sinai and monitored IDF communications as part of its operations.
- Official figures cited in the case describe a sharp surge since 2020, including 316 handguns and long‑gun parts seized in 2024 and nearly 900 drone smuggling attempts from Egypt in a three‑month period in 2025.
- Prosecutors link smuggled handguns to two deadly shootings in October 2024 as officials move on tougher rules of engagement and seek a terror designation for smuggling.