Bennett vows crackdown on smuggling in southern Israel, hints at Iranian security concerns

Former prime minister Naftali Bennett has visited the Gaza envelope and Negev region, staying overnight at the home of a senior IDF officer in the Nahal Oz area. During his visit, Bennett pledged to intensify efforts against weapons smuggling, declaring that illegal arms and those responsible for trafficking them would be treated as terror operatives and face severe punishment.

Bennett’s visit underscores ongoing security concerns in Israel’s south, where communities remain vulnerable to cross-border threats. His overnight stay in the region signals commitment to addressing the security challenges faced by residents in areas adjacent to Gaza.

In his statements, Bennett also appeared to address broader regional security issues, suggesting that any nation capable of controlling airspace over Tehran should equally be able to secure its own borders. This remark appears to reference Israel’s military capabilities and the need for comprehensive border security measures.

The former premier’s visit comes as Israeli security forces continue operations against weapons smuggling networks operating in the southern regions. Bennett’s hardline stance on treating smugglers as terror operatives reflects the government’s effort to intensify responses to security threats in the area.

Source: Ynet — Original article in Hebrew.