Shock bust: Israeli Soldiers trafficking grenades from IDF base

Two reservists from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have been apprehended for allegedly pilfering dozens of fragmentation grenades from a military base in southern Israel and selling them to criminals for hefty sums, according to authorities. The arrests followed a covert probe by the Negev District Police Central Division and the Military Police Investigations Unit, which exposed a troubling arms trafficking scheme. The reservists reportedly pocketed thousands of dollars by offloading the stolen explosives, a transaction that came to light after their detention two weeks ago. During interrogations, the soldiers faced stern questioning as investigators pieced together the extent of their illicit dealings.

Building on the evidence, law enforcement escalated their efforts by searching the residences of two additional suspects believed to have bought the grenades from the reservists. These raids aimed to clamp down on the network profiting from the stolen military hardware. The police and Military Police issued a joint statement, vowing to “uphold the law relentlessly, particularly to stem the tide of weapons reaching criminal hands, safeguarding public safety and tranquility.” This case isn’t an isolated incident—two months prior, authorities intercepted a major weapons smuggling operation in Afula, underscoring the broader challenge of illegal arms flows in Israel.

In that earlier bust, officers zeroed in on two vehicles suspected of transporting smuggled firearms. The vehicles, stopped in Afula, were carrying three individuals from Zarzir. A thorough search uncovered a staggering haul: 34 handguns, two Kalashnikov rifles, and two M-16 rifles, all stashed inside. That seizure highlighted the persistent threat of weapons infiltrating the country, often destined for criminal enterprises. Now, with the reservists’ grenade sales added to the mix, the IDF and police are doubling down on efforts to choke off these dangerous pipelines. The investigation continues, with officials determined to root out any further leaks of military-grade weaponry into the wrong hands, a mission critical to maintaining order amid rising security concerns.