Israel Foils Jordan Arms Smuggling, Conducts West Bank Drills

Israeli security forces have thwarted an attempt to smuggle dozens of weapons from Jordan into the West Bank, the Israeli military and police announced on Friday. Army observers detected suspicious activity near the eastern border on Thursday, leading to a joint operation by the Jordan Valley Brigade, the Jordan Border Police unit, and the West Bank's Judea and Samaria Border Police. During the operation, two suspects in their fifties from Jericho were arrested, and over 30 pistols and two M16 rifles were seized. The suspects and confiscated weapons were handed over for further investigation.

In a separate but related announcement, the Israeli military revealed it had commenced a surprise drill in the West Bank division, involving all its brigades. The exercise, expected to last until noon, aims to test operational readiness and preparedness for various scenarios, particularly in light of upcoming holidays. The military stated that this drill is part of a series of exercises conducted recently to enhance operational readiness in the region and improve cooperation with other security and rescue forces. The military emphasized that the drill was planned and not a response to any specific security threat.