Official Denial
Overwhelmed: Report Claims IDF Lookouts Told Not to Report Every Drone Smuggling Incident on Egyptian Border
Female lookout soldiers on the Egyptian border reportedly told their parents they were instructed not to report every drone crossing due to the overwhelming number of smuggling attempts, a claim the IDF officially denies.
A concerning report emerged Wednesday evening detailing serious security challenges facing Israeli forces along the Egyptian border due to the relentless surge of smuggling operations, primarily using drones.
According to a report published by Walla, female lookout soldiers (Tatzpitaniyot) serving in the Edom Division on the Egyptian border communicated to their parents that they recently received an unusual instruction from their commanders. The soldiers were reportedly told that "it is not necessary to report every case of a drone crossing in light of the many cases of the various drone crossings operated by smugglers from the Israeli side."
The claim suggests that the sheer volume of these smuggling attempts has overwhelmed the systems and personnel tasked with monitoring the 200-kilometer-long border.
The Mechanism of Drone Smuggling
Security officials cited in the report shed light on the mechanics of the operation, which suggests the threat is originating primarily from the Israeli side. A source in the Southern Command was quoted as asserting that drones cannot be acquired in Sinai, implying that "Egyptian security forces are in control of the issue."
Therefore, the official claimed, it is smugglers in Israel who are purchasing and operating the various types and sizes of drones. These drones are launched from Israeli territory, cross the border into Egypt, and then return loaded with contraband, which may include weapons or drugs.
A senior official acknowledged the difficulty of the task, explaining that the huge number of drone smuggling operations, some carrying hundreds of grams of cargo like narcotics, has led to problems with reporting and intervention by the IDF and the police.
"We try to foil what we’re aware of, but we’re not aware of all the operations," the official stated, citing the immense length of the border as a reason for the inability to optimally thwart every single attempt.
Official Denial and Civilian Concerns
The IDF officially rejected the lookouts' claims, stating: "From an examination that was conducted, no such instruction exists. Every incident is reported to all relevant bodies and handled according to operational need." The IDF further claimed that the army has succeeded in "significantly reducing the number of smuggling operations in the border area."
However, residents in the area expressed continued concern, stating that despite the IDF's statements, they continue to see drones flying over residential areas.
The security establishment is attempting to gain a better handle on the issue through concerted interagency cooperation. The report noted that Shin Bet forces, with the assistance of local security elements, recently carried out an extensive operation in the Israeli-Bedouin village of Bir-Hadaj, detaining and interrogating suspects allegedly involved in running the drone smuggling channels.
The Edom Division is scheduled to host a joint meeting with all agencies involved in countering the smuggling, including the IDF, Border Police, Israel Police, Shin Bet, and various government ministries, to present capabilities and formulate a coordinated strategy.