Israeli Border Police operating around Jerusalem, together with checkpoint units, thwarted a sophisticated smuggling attempt involving 16 Palestinians who tried to enter Israel from the West Bank concealed inside a specially constructed false compartment in a semi-truck.
The incident unfolded in the early morning hours following targeted intelligence received by the Border Police's Investigation and Intelligence Unit for the Jerusalem envelope. The advance information pointed to a suspicious truck making its way to the Mazmoriya checkpoint while carrying passengers without legal entry permits. When the truck arrived at the location, operational forces immediately identified it, instructed the driver to pull over, and began conducting a thorough inspection of the vehicle and its cargo.
During the detailed search, officers discovered a double wall installed in the underside and rear section of the vehicle. Behind this false compartment, 16 individuals were hidden, crowded together in harsh conditions within poorly ventilated interior spaces, attempting to cross the checkpoint without detection by security forces.
Video footage from the scene captures the dramatic moments of the arrest: Border Police personnel, including an armed female officer, stand beside the truck supervising the exit of those detained. One by one, the individuals can be seen crawling out from the narrow, dark space beneath the vehicle, while officers issue instructions directing them to lie on the ground with their hands behind their backs for secure control. Later footage shows the interior of the cramped hiding space, constructed from yellow, rusted metal panels, where bags and personal belongings of the suspects remained.
Company Commander in the Jerusalem envelope Border Police, Major Yarden Fogel, addressed the operation, stating that the joint activity of Border Police forces, the Jerusalem envelope district, and checkpoint units led to locating the truck and preventing the smuggling attempt. Fogel emphasized that the forces will continue to operate with determination and persistence at all times against the phenomenon of illegal entry and those who assist them, with the goal of protecting Israeli citizens' security.
The truck driver, an East Jerusalem resident suspected of transporting the individuals for financial gain, was arrested along with all 16 passengers discovered in the hiding space. All suspects were transferred for continued criminal and security investigation at the Border Police Investigation and Intelligence Unit for the Jerusalem envelope.
