Despite the peace treaty between the two countries, which creates a sense of deceptive calm, the region has become a hotspot for increasingly sophisticated cross-border smuggling operations.

What began as drug and animal smuggling by vehicle, has evolved into an advanced network of aerial contraband. In recent years, influenced by the war in Gaza and advances in technology, smugglers have shifted to using drones. The method is simpler, more efficient, and far harder to detect.

From drugs to weapons

While the smuggling of drugs and livestock has been ongoing for years, the recent influx of heavy weapons marks a deeply troubling shift. According to testimony presented at a Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee emergency session, there were 10 to 15 smuggling incidents every night in 2024. Though the current figures are classified, they are believed to be higher.

During the Rosh Hashanah holiday alone, 500 drones reportedly crossed into Israeli territory in just three days, according to a security officer from Kadesh Barnea. Alarmingly, the IDF is estimated to intercept less than 10% of drones. While the phenomenon initially occurred mostly at night, these drones have recently been spotted operating in broad daylight.

The smuggling system relies on coordination between organized crime families, with some based in Sinai, while others are based in Israel. Drones are flown empty from Israel into Egypt, then return loaded with weapons or drugs. The profit margin is enormous: smuggling four MAG machine guns can yield up to 1 million Shekels (about $300,000), while 30 kilograms (66 pounds) of drugs can fetch even more. The risk is considered worth the reward.

The technology has also evolved. Older GPS-based drones, like the "Snipes," were relatively easy for the IDF to neutralize. But as the military adapted, smugglers moved on to more advanced models, such as "Matrix" drones, and now operate with devices that don't rely on GPS, complicating Israeli countermeasures. In response, the IDF is intensifying efforts to upgrade its border surveillance and interception technologies.

"They are sophisticated," said Yehuda Kapach, southern coordinator for the Regavim movement. "They know when enforcement is strong and when it isn't. When a new system is deployed by the army, they lay low until it's deactivated or moved, then resume."

Cat and mouse

Residents on the border say the situation is dire. "We see the drones above us, we hear the buzzing," said Eyal Ben, a member of a rapid response team from a community near Nitzana. "Just recently, I saw a drone cross the border five times in one hour. Most of these carry weapons. This must be treated as terrorism. That's how it started with Gaza, and this can easily turn into a serious threat for us too."

Since the October 7 massacre, the risk has become even more palpable. "Weapons that used to go into Gaza are now coming into Israel," said Ben. "Instead of tunnels, we now have an aerial smuggling route directly above our heads."

He described how each smuggling run is coordinated with high-tech ground support, including off-road vehicles and night-vision equipment. "They're running circles around us with the latest gear and abusing legal loopholes as Israeli citizens. The IDF's firing zones are completely unmonitored, and drones cross through them without issue."

The arms are ending up in the hands of powerful criminal organizations, some with terror affiliations, further blurring the line between crime and terrorism. Both the IDF and Egyptian forces appear unable to stop the influx. "The Egyptians shoot at drones indiscriminately, which puts nearby homes at risk," Ben warned. "It's a double threat."

"We ask ourselves what all these heavy weapons are for," Ben said. He's not alone in that concern. Kapach added, "What are they planning to do with all this weaponry? We must prepare for the worst-case scenario. This isn't just a crime issue, it's a strategic nationalist threat. We need to act decisively against these criminal-terrorist networks before the situation deteriorates."

More than 100,000 illegal weapons in the Negev

A recent report from the Ruppin Institute revealed that more than 100,000 illegal weapons are believed to be in the hands of civilians and crime organizations in the Negev.

The growing difficulty of the IDF to maintain control over the southern border has left many residents fearful that the situation could spiral out of control. "Just two years ago, we saw something similar on the Gaza border," residents noted. "There's no clear line between weapons sent to crime families and those going to terrorist groups."

In April, three Israeli citizens were indicted for drone smuggling from Israel into the Gaza Strip. The drones were used to deliver drugs and cigarettes, but authorities warned they could just as easily be weaponized to target soldiers during wartime.

IDF Spokesperson's Response: "The IDF is aware of the growing phenomenon of drone smuggling and is working in coordination with the police, using a range of surveillance, intelligence and observation tools. Staff work is underway to improve the operational response in the region."

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A one-way attack drone launched by the Houthis struck the entrance of a hotel in Eilat, southern Israel. No casualties have been reported. pic.twitter.com/Kz6pvlDWsT

— OSINTWarfare (@OSINTWarfare) September 18, 2025

He further said, "Second drone within a week, that there's a drone fall here. Both weren't intercepted – one without any warning at all, the second with warning. This is a situation that needs to be investigated. I demanded to investigate the first incident, they investigated and gave us answers, but it's not satisfactory. We'll need to wait for the investigation to understand why this is happening a second time and how we should act."

Houthi drone launched from Yemen struck Eilat, southern Israel. The siren went off only seconds before impact. pic.twitter.com/5rgLEGaYI0

— Leon Sverdlov (@Leon_Sverdlov) September 18, 2025

"At this stage, since this is the situation, I made a decision together with the regional commander to cancel the event that's supposed to take place now at Dekel Beach. I'm the last one who tends to cancel events – everyone knows that. During the war, there were many launches here and we didn't cancel studies or anything. But when a case occurs that we don't know why it happened, the concern is that it could happen again. Therefore, at these hours, half an hour before the event, it's better not to take a risk and not to hold the event on Thursday."

Your office is located about 30 meters from where the drone fell. Were you in the office and did you hear it?

"I don't think they aimed at me, but when a drone falls without warning, it's always a bad feeling. We give full trust to the security forces and the air force that does wonderful work here in the area. There are excellent defense systems here that have proven themselves time after time. There are isolated cases that still penetrated and fell."

"It needs to be said that there's no change in Home Front Command policy, and also that our assessment is that not many people would have arrived at the event because of the proximity of this specific event. Regardless, we want to hear the investigation results."

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The drone penetration comes one day after a drone from Yemen, which was identified but not classified as hostile, struck the passenger terminal at Ramon International Airport.

The IDF updated that within half an hour, the Air Force intercepted three unmanned aircraft. Following alerts activated shortly before in the southern Negev region, the Air Force intercepted an unmanned aircraft launched from Yemen. Additionally, another aircraft was intercepted without alerts being activated according to policy. The interception of these aircraft joins an additional interception carried out earlier in the day in the Arava region.

Channel 14's own correspondent admits it: a Yemeni drone just became the first "international aircraft" to land at Ramon Airport since it opened, and it came in without clearance, sirens, or interception before hitting the passenger terminal. pic.twitter.com/0wym4qRLhW

— Thomas Keith (@iwasnevrhere_) September 7, 2025

 Since the beginning of the war, approximately 150 Houthi drones have been launched toward Israel. More than 98 percent were intercepted. The IDF emphasized that "there is no indication of a technical malfunction in existing detection systems." Parallel to yesterday's impact incident, three additional drones were also successfully intercepted by the Air Force in the area of the Egyptian border.

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Video: Pakistan accuses India of using Israeli-made suicide drones in attacks

In a strongly worded statement, a spokesperson for the Pakistani army said: "India is paying a heavy price and will continue to pay for its shameless aggression." According to the spokesperson, Pakistan's air defense systems intercepted 12 Israeli-manufactured Harop drones, made by Israel Aerospace Industries.

Images and videos circulating on social media appear to show several strikes within Pakistan, including what seem to be military installations belonging to the Pakistani army.

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The Pentagon has dismissed claims that mysterious drones spotted over New Jersey are being launched from an Iranian "mothership" off the East Coast, according to the BBC, as dozens of unexplained aerial sightings continue to puzzle authorities across the state.

Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh firmly rejected allegations made by Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.) who had claimed on Fox News that the drones were tied to Iranian operations.

"There is no truth to that," Singh told reporters Wednesday. "There is no Iranian ship off the coast of the United States, and there's no so-called mothership launching drones towards the United States."

The Pentagon's initial assessment indicates "these are not drones coming from a foreign entity or adversary," Singh added.

The statement comes amid growing concerns over numerous drone sightings across New Jersey since November 18, with Governor Phil Murphy reporting 49 sightings on Sunday alone. Some of these aircraft have been spotted near sensitive locations, including the Picatinny Arsenal military research facility and former President Donald Trump's golf course in Bedminster.

During a congressional hearing Tuesday, FBI Assistant Director Robert Wheeler Jr. acknowledged the ongoing investigation but could not identify those responsible. "I don't have an answer of who's responsible," Wheeler said. "But we're actively investigating."

However, New Jersey Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia challenged the Pentagon's position following her briefing with the Department of Homeland Security. "To state that there is no known or credible threat is incredibly misleading," she said.

According to Fantasia, the drones appear sophisticated, measuring up to 6 feet in diameter, operating with lights off and showing coordinated movement patterns. She noted they seem capable of evading traditional detection methods such as helicopter and radio tracking.

The New Jersey incidents follow recent drone sightings over US military installations in the United Kingdom, where unidentified aircraft were reported over RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk and RAF Feltwell in Norfolk.

While Murphy has emphasized that the drones do not appear to pose a public safety concern, authorities continue their investigation into the source and purpose of these unexplained aerial activities.

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Six months ago, I dubbed the current conflict "The First UAV War". Hezbollah, primarily but not exclusively, identified both the potential threat of unmanned aerial vehicles and the IDF's vulnerability to them. They have been systematically deploying hundreds of aerial platforms from the north toward all parts of Israel.

Before the ground offensive, these were mainly very small and slow devices that, under the cover of topography and the Lebanese border, allowed brief exposure and diving toward towns and outposts near the fence. This scenario is almost impossible for defense systems to counter. With the start of the ground offensive, we see Hezbollah using larger vehicles (and there are even larger ones, as we see and experience in other arenas), which challenge the Israeli home front. This was evident on Yom Kippur eve with the strike on a retirement home in Herzliya, and yesterday with the tragic outcome in Wadi Ara.

If we examine the past week, during which the Israeli Air Force intercepted a UAV from Yemen (north of Ashkelon) and two unmanned aerial vehicles from Iraq (near Rishon LeZion), along with those I mentioned in the last two days from Lebanon – we understand that the multi-front challenge is not coincidental. This involves Iranian guidance of the concept, technology, means, and operation.

The UAV threat caught Israel not optimally prepared for a known and recognized threat. Compared to the IDF's capabilities against high-trajectory threats, the response in this area is insufficient. The primary challenge is detecting these vehicles in flight. This initiates the response chain, from translating to civilian alerts (and we saw the importance and difference in outcome between the incident in Herzliya and the one in Wadi Ara) and continues with intercepting and neutralizing the threat, either by ground systems like Iron Dome and additional means, or by aerial platforms. Many UAVs were intercepted by fighter jets.

As the war continues, we must assume that enemies across all fronts will continue to challenge us. In this learning competition, we must find a response in the form of technology, means, deployment, and preparedness, and any other solution that will improve our ability to cope. Although the potential payload of a UAV is less than that of a ballistic missile from Iran (660-1,100 pounds of explosives) or a heavy rocket from Hezbollah (220 pounds or more), the psychological aspect of penetrating the aerial dimension and the ease with which the home front in central Israel becomes an accessible target in the enemy's eyes is not something that can be normalized.

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A constant buzzing, a monotonous noise that somehow overpowers the sounds of gunfire, explosions, and tank engines. This hum, produced by the engines of dozens of drones of various types, has become the soundtrack of modern warfare, including Gaza's eastern Shuja'iyya neighborhood.

Along with a unit from the 202nd Battalion of the IDF's Paratroopers Brigade and a group of journalists, we observed the progress made by Israeli forces in a neighborhood that has become a symbol for Hamas, uncovering tunnels, shelters, explosives, and terrorists moving from ruin to ruin amid clouds of dust and debris. Just meters from the front lines, inside a partially destroyed building, sat the battalion's "fire team" – a small group of soldiers engaged in 21st-century warfare.

Inside a relatively clean room, the soldiers had set up a generator, fans, computer screens, and shelves packed with batteries, antennas, and a small but battle-hardened fleet of drones. These small drones, operating like miniature helicopters, have dramatically transformed the modern battlefield in recent years. Paz Buskila, the unit commander, said they received their first drone from the deputy battalion commander and learned during combat what they could do with the new equipment. "We started with one drone for observation. Over time, we expanded and upgraded the equipment. Now, not only can we accurately close fire loops, but we can also drop bombs from the drones," he explained.

Matan Green, a soldier in the team, was operating a drone while we talked. It was astonishing to see the battlefield laid out before him and what he could locate in the few minutes we conversed. I asked him where he learned to operate the tool, which provides real-time intelligence for the entire battalion. "I have some background in robotics from high school, but I mostly learned by watching videos of Ukrainian soldiers," he said. This wasn't surprising, as the war in Ukraine, which began with Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, has become a testing ground for combat drones.

"Like a Western movie"

Drones are generally small, short-range unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with propulsion similar to that of helicopters, using rotors for lift and speed. Military drones are divided into three basic categories based on their use, with many variations within each category. Intelligence-gathering drones, equipped with cameras—sometimes even infrared—help forces locate enemies and direct fire. They come in various sizes, from tiny reconnaissance drones that can enter buildings and tunnels to larger ones providing aerial views of entire combat zones with multiple cameras.

Video: Moment of a Ukrainian drone strike on a power station in Russia.

Bomb-dropping drones are fitted with mechanisms that release grenades or bombs, sometimes several, directly onto enemies below. The final category is suicide drones, usually fast, highly maneuverable racing drones loaded with explosives, essentially acting as guided missiles aimed at enemy targets with terrifying precision. It's no wonder the young soldier in Shuja'iyya was watching videos of drone operations in Ukraine. A quick online search reveals thousands of examples of how Ukrainians have perfected the small aircraft into fearsome weapons.

One of the key players in this chapter of military history is Cyclops. His real name is withheld, but he earned the nickname from his comrades due to his habit of closing one eye while flying drones, a nod to Greek mythology. When the Russians invaded southern Ukraine, Cyclops joined a small group of partisans in a desperate effort to stop the Russians from reaching the city of Odessa.

"I got into drones by accident. We found a large stash of drones and equipment in a Russian truck after ambushing a convoy in the early days of the invasion," he explained. "We were a group of partisans with makeshift weapons and worn-out gear, and our only goal was to prevent the enemy from establishing a foothold in our territory. It was like some kind of Western movie—we followed the enemy's tracks, ambushed them, and captured tons of trucks and military equipment."

Proper drone operation gave these inexperienced volunteers an advantage, allowing them to manage a highly effective defense. "We did this without any regular Ukrainian military presence alongside us. The enemy didn't expect partisans in southern Ukraine, and in those first days, we learned how to operate the drones and realized their immense potential for aerial reconnaissance and guiding our forces," Cyclops added.

As the months passed and the war became more static, the importance of drones and their operators only grew. Makeshift workshops for producing and upgrading civilian drones were established, and experienced operators became hot commodities among military units. "In the beginning, there wasn't time or resources for organized training in drone operation or tactics. We learned everything ourselves in the heat of battle," Cyclops said, becoming a recognized name in the field. "With drones, you can conduct almost any military mission—gathering intelligence deep in enemy territory, supporting infantry on the move, counter-battery artillery fire, and guiding artillery strikes. You can attack enemy positions, destroy their vehicles, chase their soldiers, and force them to scatter or surrender. We've done all of that at different stages," he proudly shared.

"You become a big target"

Cyclops is part of an independent drone unit that operates alongside other forces, such as infantry, armored, and artillery units. This method differs significantly from the IDF's. "Our daily routine begins with checking our electrical systems, ensuring the batteries are charged, and all equipment works. We have dozens of batteries, antennas, controllers, and more, all requiring constant attention. Without them, nothing works," Cyclops said. "Each team needs a generator and a satellite link, usually through Starlink, to stay operational, and keeping this gear in good shape is just as important as having ammunition."

However, operating drones comes with risks. "Drone teams are always big, visible targets for the enemy. In 90 to 99 percent of cases, drone teams are spotted by enemy drone teams, so it's always a brutal game of cat and mouse. Our biggest threat is shelling, and the enemy fires everything they have at us, knowing that one active drone can cause massive damage," Cyclops explained, recounting several close calls.

Daily life for the team swings between dodging shellfire, countering Russian drones, and routine tasks like hours of analyzing intelligence footage or searching for a good spot to launch drones. Repairing drones and vehicles also takes a toll, as does carrying heavy equipment to remote positions.

Cyclops vividly remembers his most successful mission: "In the early months of the invasion, I spotted a large enemy concentration. I coordinated with a nearby artillery unit and guided their fire accurately. Out of 50 enemy trucks, 23 were destroyed, along with large amounts of ammunition, two fuel tankers, and a shell depot. The whole event took just 20 minutes, but I remember every second."

"Rewriting the rules of war"

"Drones can be used for almost any type of military mission. Most of our reconnaissance drones are models from companies like DJI or Autel, for example, but when it comes to suicide or bombing drones, the variety is simply endless," explains Cyclops. The range of models used by the Ukrainian military to target Russian forces is indeed staggering. Since many units acquire drones independently and adapt them with different, often improvised, weaponry, you can see a wide array of attack drones, sometimes quite bizarre.

These drones are divided into two categories: the first includes kamikaze drones, usually armed with an RPG warhead or other explosive device, and the second consists of bomb-dropping drones, which release grenades, small bombs, and even anti-tank mines on Russian military forces. The Ukrainians have even created their own subcategory of heavy-duty drones, referred to by the Russians as "Baba Yaga," named after the flying witch from Russian mythology. This monstrous drone, equipped with six rotors, can drop multiple mortar shells or carry electronic warfare equipment. In recent weeks, drones of this model have even been recorded dropping thermite, a burning chemical agent, on Russian military positions.

Without unmanned systems, Cyclops believes the situation would be much more difficult for Ukraine. "Drone warfare helped us bridge the gap in enemy numbers and equipment, especially in terms of ammunition. This is a war no one really knows how to fight, and we're inventing the rules as we go," he said. The rapid evolution in the field means that what worked a year ago is now nearly obsolete. "It's a crazy race, and who knows where it will lead as the war continues," he added.

Cyclops watches videos of drone use in Gaza by both the IDF and Hamas and recognizes similar patterns, offering professional advice. "Countries that want a modern, resilient army need to include entire drone battalions or even brigades, improve communication systems, and develop reliable components for their drone fleets. And they should start now."

Drone warfare, much of it developed from the ground up, also reflects a broader shift in how weaponry evolves. Both in Israel and Ukraine, civilians have donated drones purchased online, and soldiers, along with military developers, have transformed them into increasingly effective weapons over time. This shift, where entire categories of weapons are developed not in massive arms manufacturers' labs but in small workshops, trenches, and abandoned apartments, underscores the unpredictable future of 21st-century warfare and the many surprises that may lie ahead as the world teeters on the brink of a broader conflict.

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The Iron Dome air defense system intercepted another drone launched from the Gaza Strip Monday morning.

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The IDF said on Twitter that "an unidentified aircraft was spotted flying over Gaza toward Israeli territory."

Video: Iron Dome intercepts Gaza drone / Free usage under Israeli copyright law (Section 27A)

It said the drone was was monitored from the moment it took off and did not cross into Israel and that no alert was sounded because the aircraft did not pose any threat to residents living in the area.

An unidentified aircraft was spotted flying over Gaza toward Israeli territory. IAF systems monitored it throughout its flight and interceptors were launched by the IDF Aerial Defense Array.

The aircraft didn't cross into Israel nor did it pose a threat to civilians in the area…

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) August 21, 2023

Similarly, on Sunday the Iron Dome intercepted a UAV launched from the Hamas-ruled enclave. Hamas sources told the Lebanese Al-Akhbar news outlet that they launched several drones into Israeli territory adjacent to Gaza and that the terror group was working on developing its military capabilities to "surprise" the IDF in a future conflict."

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The Israeli research group Alma, which analyzes security challenges on Israel's northern border, identified two of the manufacturing facilities for the Iranian Shahed 136 Drone this week as well as the faces behind Iran's drone program.

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In a report obtained by i24NEWS, Alma identified two civilian companies that are allegedly operated by the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps in Tehran and that manufacture components for the Shahed drone. It also named some of their top scientists, two of whom it managed to identify with pictures.

Alma uses open-source information to track down alleged Iranian IRGC-affiliated drone factories. Their report said both companies change their names from time to time, possibly in order not to be targeted by Western sanctions imposed on Iran.

Shakad Sanat Asmari (also known as Chekad Sanat Faraz Asia) was identified as one of those manufacturing companies. It is said to manufacture parts for the Iranian aviation industry. The company's chief scientist and former CEO was identified as Ehsan Rahat Varnosfadrani. In 2022 he published a book about the development of a new system to help a pilot control his plane.

The second company responsible for the Shahed 136 drone was named as Saad Sazeh Faraz Sharif (or Daria Fanawar Burhan Sharif). Its CEO is said to be Ehsan Imaninejad. The company was founded in 2016, specializing in the development of communication and optical systems as well as electronic circuits.

Tal Beeri, who heads Alma's research department, said that the Shehad 136 drone poses a specific threat to the entire world. "it is a drone that is easy to handle, can reach long distances and is relatively cheap."

He said that most people became aware of drone warfare only in the context of the war in Ukraine. But they have been used before, such as in an Iranian attack on a ship owned by an Israeli billionaire in the Gulf of Oman, last November.

"The psychological aspect should not be underestimated. The drone can be seen in the sky and its sound can be heard by civilians. They are sending dozens and not all of them can always be intercepted," Beeri stated.

The researcher also assumed that Iranian proxies such as Hezbollah will use drones in a potential military escalation with Israel. "The public is not aware enough of the dangers posed by drones," he told i24NEWS. "It is a new type of global threat, and I hope that Israel is aware of the information about the Iranian companies."

Alma said the Shahed Kamikaze 136 is currently used as the main suicide unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in the Iranian arsenal. It has been used by Russia in its war in Ukraine. According to Alma's previous publications, Iranian drones have also been found in African countries, as well as in Venezuela.

The White House assumed that Russia is deepening its defense cooperation with Iran and received hundreds of one-way attack drones that it is using to strike Ukraine. For Kyiv, it is an alarming development.

Natalia Gumenyuk, a spokesperson of the Southern Ukrainian Defense Forces, said today that they recently experience fewer drone attacks, which could indicate that a new shipment is around the corner. "We can absolutely say that they have the understandings to continue these shipments," she said.

 This article was first published by i24NEWS.

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The Indian Army has deployed four Israel Aerospace Industries-produced Heron drones to surveil Chinese military movements in the Ladakh sector, a report by India Today stated on Tuesday.

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The paper said that after "China's attempts to alter the status quo along the Line of Actual Control, India increased its deployment of troops after April 2020." Two months later, in June of that year, 20 Indian soldiers were killed in clashes with China over the disputed Himalayan region.

"The four drones were deployed along the LAC in Ladakh for surveillance," according to India Today.

The Israeli-made drones were acquired under "emergency financial powers granted by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government to the defense forces," it stated. "The Indian forces will soon acquire the Predator drones from the US, which will further boost the unmanned surveillance and strike capabilities of the country."

Reprinted with permission from JNS.org.

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