The Israel Defense Forces said on Tuesday it intercepted a drone attempting to smuggle dozens of firearms into Israel from Jordan, underscoring continued efforts by Israeli security forces to curb cross-border weapons trafficking.

According to the Israel Defense Forces, troops identified the drone shortly after it crossed the Jordanian border and brought it down without reported injuries.

What Happened

The military said soldiers from the Yoav Regional Brigade detected the drone as it entered Israeli airspace and intercepted it near the border.

After securing the area, troops discovered the drone was carrying 40 handguns, the IDF said. The seized weapons and the drone were transferred to the Israel Police for further investigation.

The incident was first reported by The Times of Israel, citing an official IDF statement.

Broader Context

Israeli security officials have reported a rise in attempts to smuggle weapons and drugs into the country using drones, particularly along Israel’s borders.

Over the past year, the IDF has said drone-based smuggling attempts have been frequent along the Egyptian border. While smuggling activity is also common along the Jordanian frontier, attempts using drones from that direction have been less common, according to the military.

Israeli authorities say such operations are often linked to criminal networks and, in some cases, militant groups seeking to bypass traditional border crossings.

What Happens Next

Israeli police are expected to investigate the origin of the weapons, the operators behind the drone, and whether the attempted smuggling is connected to broader trafficking networks.

The IDF said it will continue surveillance and interception efforts along Israel’s borders to prevent the illegal transfer of weapons into the country.