Israel’s Defense Forces demonstrated again this week the importance of constant vigilance in Israel. Three separate incidents occurred involving hidden weapons uncovered by IDF forces.
In one particularly galling occurrence, IDF soldiers discovered an improvised weapon concealed in a child’s knapsack. The makeshift firearm and ammunition were found in a vehicle during a routine inspection Tuesday at a Jordan Valley checkpoint. “The driver aroused suspicion after a preliminary search,” said Captain Sefi Mor, an IDF company commander involved in the inspection. “He seemed anxious, so we decided to perform a comprehensive search of the vehicle.” The checkpoint is located not far from the driver’s home.
This checkpoint is on a major traffic artery, and a target for terrorism and weapons smuggling, so soldiers stationed there are always on alert. The following day, another suspect was detained at the same checkpoint, while a month and a half ago, explosives were found in another vehicle trying to pass through.
“A large number of people pass through the checkpoint to get to work in the Jordan Valley, and we check anyone who seems suspicious,” Cpt. Mor said. “It’s clear to the [Kfir] battalion’s fighters [who are stationed there] that their mission is to defend civilians and allow them to sleep safely at night.”
Meanwhile, a large weapons cache was found in Hebron on Wednesday. The cache included an M-16 firearm, some 8,000 bullets and other weapons parts. Two Palestinian suspects were arrested and detained for questioning.
In another incident, a military-grade explosive device, an Uzi firearm and ammunition were uncovered during a routine search near Jenin.
“We found the weapons in different hiding places, behind wardrobes and under drawers,” said Lt. Col. Roi Nahari, a battalion commander involved in the search operation. “We also discovered hiding places inside the walls of houses.”
“We use proven methods, including tactical methods and special devices, to reach concealed weapons,” Lt. Col. Nahari continued. “Palestinians hide weapons in homes using sophisticated methods, but with the help of intelligence and the good work of IDF forces, we succeed in seizing the weapons.”
