Over the past month, security forces arrested multiple Israeli and Syrian civilians for their involvement in the network, which smuggled various types of weapons from Syria into Israel.
Several residents of northern Israel, including five reservists and active-duty IDF soldiers, were arrested for their involvement in a weapons smuggling network alongside several Syrian civilians, Israel Police announced in a joint statement with the IDF and Shin Bet on Wednesday.
Over the past month, security forces arrested multiple Israeli and Syrian civilians for their involvement in the network, which smuggled various types of weapons from Syria into Israel.
During the investigation, it was also revealed that the soldiers assisted in transporting the smuggled weapons to various criminal elements operating in northern Israel.
According to the statement, security forces discovered that just days before the group was arrested, the network had attempted to transport an 'unusually large' shipment of weapons, including explosives, RPG missiles, assault rifles, and additional large quantities of ammunition.
Security forces also found that the intended recipient of the weapons was Rami Abu Shah, a Shfaram resident who had been involved with Syrian large-scale weapons trafficker Rawad Albaser.
One of the soldiers arrested has been named as Iyad Halabi, a 45-year-old master sergeant in the IDF's northern sector.
Indictments will be filed against each suspect involved following interrogation.