Chikli raises the alarm
What's Happening On the Israel-Egypt Border Is Not Good At All
Israeli Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli warns of escalating security risks after observing at least 10 heavy drones crossing from Egypt into Israel, highlighting potential arms smuggling to terror and criminal networks.
Israeli Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli sounded the alarm on a growing security threat after touring the Egypt-Israel border near Nitzana on Sunday night. In a detailed post on X, Chikli revealed that at least 10 heavy drones crossed from Egypt into Israel during his hours-long visit, exposing a rampant smuggling operation that could be arming criminal and terror groups.
Chikli described the drones, advanced logistical models like the DJI Matrice 600 M300 RTK, easily purchased online, as capable of carrying up to 10 rifles or four machine guns, along with ammunition, drugs, or other contraband. "Each drone can carry four MAG machine guns or 10 long rifles," he wrote, noting that 40 such weapons crossed into Israel in just two hours. Initially skeptical of reports claiming dozens of daily drone incursions, Chikli now believes they underestimate the scale, calling it an "industrial-level" threat.
Highlighting the post-October 7 reality, Chikli warned that the situation "should raise 1,200 red flags." He shared operational insights with relevant authorities and pledged immediate action. Disturbingly, he also revealed a TikTok video filmed from the Egyptian side, showing smugglers recording a security officer from Be’er Milka, labeling it a "very bad video" that underscores the audacity of the operation.
Opposition leader Avigdor Liberman echoed Chikli’s concerns, citing a conversation with Ramat Negev Regional Council head Eran Doron. Liberman reported that hundreds of drones crossed from Sinai in the past month alone, with 25 detected in the last 24 hours. He claimed most carry weapons for Negev gangs, later sold to terror groups and criminals nationwide. Nightly tests and gunfire in villages like Bir Hadaj, he added, signal an escalating crisis.
Liberman urged the Israeli government to act swiftly and press Egypt to curb the smuggling, warning that a "reversal of arms" is imminent without intervention. His Israel Beiteinu party plans to raise the issue in Knesset committees, demanding answers and action.
An IDF soldier, stationed on the Egyptian border, told Elchanan Groner:
"Recently, we've been stationed on the Egyptian border.
The smuggling operations involving drones aren't just carried out by the Bedouins; they have cooperation from the Egyptian side.
It regularly happens that when a drone crosses, the Egyptian police officer fires, supposedly to hit the drone, but it felt more like the goal was to deter us from getting close and to interfere with our attempts to thwart the smuggling.
No one really knows what they're shooting at, but it's very concerning that they have free authorization to shoot in our direction.
There have been times when the Egyptian side fires, and then we get a report that the Egyptian side is complaining we shot. And that is quietly passed over.
It's a routine matter for the Egyptians to try and blind us with their spotlights every time we pass near them on our side of the fence.
There were cases when we went to penetrate deeper into the field to reach the smugglers, and the Egyptian police flashed their spotlights at us to signal the smugglers where we were, so they could prepare. Naturally, that quickly foiled our operation.
In addition, we hear explosions and sounds of gunfire coming from the Sinai side from the Egyptian army's training, even though it's supposed to be a demilitarized zone and we have a peace treaty with them."