The coronavirus was no match to drug smuggling on the Israel-Egypt border in 2020, and even less so in 2021, a report recently published by the Israel Defense Forces reveals. According to the army, in the first quarter of this year, there has been an increase in smuggling attempts and, as a result, drug busts carried out by the IDF.
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As of April this year, there have been 100 smuggling attempts into Israel, 20 of which were violent. In 2020, there were 300 smuggling attempts, 70 of those violent.
Two Israeli soldiers were lightly injured this year by stray bullets from Egyptian territory during a fire exchange between the Egyptian military and the smugglers.
The IDF pointed out that the first three months of 2021 saw more violent attempts compared to the same period of time last year. One of the reasons for this, the army explained, is the success of the drug busts, which led smugglers to violent means of achieving their task.
The IDF reported that it thwarted 31 smuggling attempts this year alone, compared to 53 in all of 2020. Since the beginning of 2021, the IDF seized 1,400 kilograms (3,100 pounds) of narcotics and nine vehicles, valued at 40 million shekels ($12.3 million).
However, despite the successes mentioned above, 70% of smuggling attempts on the Israel-Egypt border were successful. Nevertheless, due to the IDF's efforts, smugglers have no choice but spend less time on the border and decrease the amount of narcotics they carry.
"The money doesn't go to kindergartens in Rahat, but directly to criminal organizations," Commander of the Paran Brigade in the 80th Division, Col. Elad Shushan said.
Drug trafficking causes more damage to Israel than Hamas or Hezbollah, he said.
Shushan explained that until a year ago, army policy did not clearly define who in the IDF was responsible for thwarting smuggling attempts on the Israel-Egypt border.
The army changed its policy and decided that we were the ones responsible for this, he said.
As part of the change, the IDF established also a directorate, which includes all relevant entities related to smuggling.
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