Civil Administration Foils Attempted Smuggling of 110 Tons of Waste into West Bank Crossings

In a targeted enforcement operation this week, the Civil Administration stopped attempts to smuggle about 110 tons of waste into areas under the Palestinian Authority, where investigators say it was intended for dumping and burning at illegal landfill sites. The operation took place at crossings throughout Judea and Samaria.

The effort was led by Unit David, which operates under the Civil Administration’s Environmental Affairs staff officer and is funded by Israel’s Environmental Protection Ministry. Trucks were inspected at several major crossings, including Mazmuria, the Tunnels Crossing and Qalandiya.

According to the Civil Administration, the seized trucks were carrying different types of waste. All of the trucks and their loads were confiscated and taken to a military seizure yard for further handling by enforcement authorities.

Officials said the operation is part of a broader crackdown over the past months on illegal waste burning in Judea and Samaria. They said that in the past month alone, enforcement actions seized nearly half a million tons of waste that was meant to be burned in the area. The Civil Administration said the campaign is being carried out by a joint task force that includes all relevant security bodies, with the aim of reducing air pollution and environmental hazards.