JERUSALEM: Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz on Thursday said he instructed the army to turn the area at the border with Egypt into a closed military zone to combat weapons smuggling via drones.
“I instructed the IDF (military) to turn the area adjacent to the Israel-Egypt border into a closed military zone and to amend the rules of engagement accordingly in order to combat the drone threat that endangers the country’s security,” Katz said in a statement.
“Weapon smuggling via drones is part of the war in Gaza and is intended to arm our enemies, and all possible measures must be taken to stop it,” he added.
Israel and Egypt share a border that spans approximately 200 kilometers (124 miles).
On Sunday, the Israeli military said it identified a drone that “crossed from the west into Israeli territory in an attempt to smuggle weapons.”
It said troops intercepted the drone, which was carrying eight guns.
On Tuesday, it said it thwarted another smuggling attempt after intercepting a drone carrying 10 pistols which had “crossed from the eastern border” into Israeli territory.
Israel is bordered by Jordan to the east.
“Today we declare war on those involved in the smuggling — and anyone who breaches the forbidden area will be targeted,” Katz said Thursday.
In a post on X, Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir praised Katz for taking the decision and for “recognizing that the trafficking that takes place there serves terrorist objectives.”
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Israel declares Egypt border area closed military zone due to weapon-smuggling drones
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Israel declares Egypt border area closed military zone due to weapon-smuggling drones
Ship in Bab el-Mandeb Strait attacked by suspected pirates, officials say
- The British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center says the incident Friday saw a ship chased by smaller vessels that opened fire on it
- The private security firm Diaplous Group says the vessel twice came under attack and armed guards aboard opened fire in response
DUBAI: A ship traveling Friday through the narrow Bab el-Mandeb Strait came under attack by suspected pirates, officials said.
The incident saw a ship chased by smaller vessels that opened fire on it, the British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center said.
The private security firm Diaplous Group said the vessel twice came under attack and armed guards aboard it opened fire in response. It said the crew was safe and described the ship as a bulk carrier.
The Bab el-Mandeb connects the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, separating the African continent from the Arabian Peninsula.
The area had seen attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels over the Israel-Hamas war, as well as a rise in piracy from Somalia as well. The Houthis have halted their attacks, however, as an uneasy ceasefire holds in the Gaza Strip.
The incident saw a ship chased by smaller vessels that opened fire on it, the British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center said.
The private security firm Diaplous Group said the vessel twice came under attack and armed guards aboard it opened fire in response. It said the crew was safe and described the ship as a bulk carrier.
The Bab el-Mandeb connects the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, separating the African continent from the Arabian Peninsula.
The area had seen attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels over the Israel-Hamas war, as well as a rise in piracy from Somalia as well. The Houthis have halted their attacks, however, as an uneasy ceasefire holds in the Gaza Strip.
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