Iranian-Made Weapons Smuggled to Hamas via Drone Route from Negev Desert

A newly uncovered smuggling route for weapons destined for Hamas begins in Iran and passes through Libya, Sudan, Egypt, and the Sinai Peninsula before ending with drones launched from Israel's western Negev desert into the Gaza Strip. Bedouin tribes play a key role in transporting arms along this extensive desert path, with the final stage managed by Bedouins from the Bir al-Abed community in the Negev, who load heavy drones with weapons for delivery to Hamas.

These drones are significantly larger and more expensive than typical small drones, costing up to $200,000 each and capable of carrying nearly 100 kilograms of equipment. Israeli security estimates suggest that substantial quantities of arms have been smuggled into Gaza via this method, although the exact volume remains unknown.

Historically, the border area between Gaza, Egypt, and Sinai has been a hub for smuggling a wide range of goods, including food, fuel, medicine, construction materials, vehicle parts, livestock, consumer products, and weapons. The smuggling networks rely heavily on the Bedouins' deep knowledge of the desert terrain and cross-border tribal connections. Despite the destruction of many smuggling tunnels, these networks have adapted by finding alternative routes and methods, such as drone deliveries, to continue supplying Gaza.

This revelation highlights the complexity and persistence of arms smuggling into Gaza, involving international manufacturing in Iran and intricate logistics across multiple countries and tribal territories, culminating in drone flights from Israeli territory into Gaza.