Shin Bet Exposes Hezbollah-Linked Arrests for Smuggling Explosives

Revelations have emerged from the Shin Bet Thursday concerning a security operation conducted in July, resulting in the apprehension of four Israeli-Arabs suspected of affiliations with the Hezbollah terror organization. These individuals were found to be engaged in the illicit smuggling of Iranian-manufactured explosive devices into the country.

Shin Bet’s comprehensive investigation led to the arrest of three residents hailing from the northern Arab town of Kafr Qasim. These suspects are suspected of orchestrating the clandestine entry of an array of high-quality weaponry into Israeli territory. The operation yielded the seizure of two Iranian-made explosive devices, among other arms.

In an independent operation conducted in the central city of Lod, security forces successfully apprehended another Israeli citizen who had intentions to deploy a similar explosive device for a criminal-motivated bombing.

Elaborating on the investigation’s findings, the Shin Bet agency disclosed, “Hezbollah employed an intricate network of smugglers within Israel to facilitate the distribution of unconventional illegal weaponry to various factions, including criminal elements.”

The detained men have been identified as Jalal Khursa, 28; Ahmed Issa, 30; and Muhammed Issa, 39, all residents of Kafr Qasim, along with Nuh Assam, 30, from Lod.

A senior official within the Shin Bet shared, “This incident underscores the ongoing efforts by Hezbollah and Iran to exploit the Arab citizens of Israel for engaging in terror-related activities against the state.” The official further emphasized the blurred boundary between terrorist activities and criminal pursuits that the investigation revealed.