Israeli security forces have once again delivered a significant blow to Iran’s terror apparatus. As announced by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Shin Bet domestic intelligence agency on Wednesday, they successfully thwarted a large-scale weapons smuggling operation from Iran intended for terror cells in Judea and Samaria.
The breakthrough came with the arrest of a weapons dealer from the Ramallah area several months ago. During the investigation, authorities discovered that the man was part of a network operating under Iranian directives to smuggle weapons into Israeli-controlled territories. The aim of the plan was to arm terror cells to carry out attacks against Israeli civilians and soldiers.
The seized arsenal underscores the scale of the Iranian operation:
- 29 Claymore mines,
- 4 drones, including 2 explosive drones,
- 15 anti-tank missiles,
- 1 RPG launcher with 3 rockets,
- 20 hand grenades,
- 53 pistols,
- 7 assault rifles,
- 9 machine guns, and
- 750 rounds of pistol ammunition.
According to the IDF, this seizure is part of a series of similar interception operations conducted in March and November 2024.
Smuggled weapons including drones. Credit: IDF Spokesman’s Unit.
The delivery was orchestrated by Units 4000 and 840 of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), both part of the Quds Force, primarily operating out of Syria. These units are under the command of Asghar Bakri, a long-standing key figure in supporting pro-Iranian terror cells in the region. In July 2024, the IDF and Shin Bet had already eliminated two senior members of this network in Lebanon, Qassem al-Husseini and Muhammad Sha’ib, in targeted operations.
In parallel with uncovering the smuggling operation, Israeli forces conducted three large-scale counterterrorism operations in Judea and Samaria on Monday night. Together with the Shin Bet and Border Police, they searched over 200 buildings, arrested several suspects, destroyed an explosive device, and confiscated weapon components, Molotov cocktails, propaganda materials, and combat equipment.
The operations were divided among three brigades: the Binyamin Brigade operated in the Ramallah area, including the Jalazone and Qalandiya refugee camps, where three terror suspects were arrested. The Ephraim Brigade searched areas in Qalqilya and Tulkarm, seizing Hamas flags and an explosive device. Meanwhile, the Judah Brigade conducted operations in the Hebron area and seven surrounding villages, arresting one terror suspect and confiscating additional weapon components.
According to security authorities, these measures are part of an ongoing campaign to dismantle terrorist infrastructure and prevent attacks on Israelis. The IDF emphasized that Tehran’s efforts to supply weapons to terror groups in the Palestinian territories are part of a broader strategy to destabilize the region.
IDF soldiers operate in Judea and Samaria on Oct. 7, 2025. Credit: IDF.
The thwarted smuggling operation once again highlights how actively Iran’s Revolutionary Guards are working to expand their influence in Judea and Samaria. While Israel secures its borders in the north and south against attacks from Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza, Tehran is apparently also trying to sow unrest in the heart of the country. The close cooperation between the military, intelligence services, and police has once again prevented these plans from becoming reality—but the fight against Iranian terror remains a constant challenge.
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