Naval Commando Soldier Charged with Arms Trafficking

The military prosecution has filed a serious indictment against Sergeant Rafael Shemesh, who served in the security detail of the Naval Commando base (Shayetet 13). The charges include removing weapons from military possession, arms trafficking, illegal weapon use, and dangerous drug use. Alongside the indictment, the prosecution requested Shemesh be held in custody until the legal proceedings conclude. The military court ordered his detention until October 21, 2026, with the agreement of both parties.

According to the indictment, on the night of September 8-9, 2026, Shemesh entered a soldiers' dormitory at the base while they slept. He took three M-4 rifles, an advanced version of the M-16 assault rifle, along with magazines and ammunition, from his room. He then left the base and drove to a convenience store in Netanya, where he met with civilians. One civilian briefly stole a weapon from Shemesh's car but it was recovered after a short pursuit.

Subsequently, Shemesh, with the help of one of the civilians, arranged a meeting at the Netanya promenade with another civilian who arrived in a Mercedes. Shemesh sold the three rifles, wrapped in a blanket, and the ammunition to this individual, all contained within his personal duffel bag.

Separately, Sorafel Getahun, a 27-year-old Netanya resident who mediated the deal, was indicted by the Central District Attorney's Office and is being held pending further decisions. Shemesh was arrested by coastal district investigators before receiving payment for the weapons. He was later transferred to the Northern Central Unit of the Military Police Investigation Division.

Investigators located the weapons hidden in a duffel bag in an open area in Netanya the day after Shemesh's arrest. The IDF and Israel Police stated they view arms trafficking and related offenses with severity, noting they are inconsistent with the expectations of IDF service members and could endanger public safety.