IDF Gilad Division Foils Drone-Assisted Handgun Smuggling Attempt Along Jordanian Border

IDF Gilad Division intercepts a drone smuggling 12 handguns across the Jordan border. One suspect captured in a high-speed pursuit near the Dead Sea.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 24, 2026, 9:22 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Times of Israel

A High-Tech Interception Near the Dead Sea

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed on Friday, April 24, 2026, the successful disruption of a sophisticated weapons smuggling attempt originating from Jordan. During a coordinated overnight operation, Israeli monitoring systems identified a drone crossing the international border in the vicinity of the Dead Sea. The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), which was being used to ferry illegal firearms into Israeli territory, was tracked in real-time by the Israeli Air Force and a specialized command center recently integrated into the regional defense architecture.

Operational Debut for the Gilad Division

The mission marked a significant operational success for the 96th “Gilad” Regional Division, a unit specifically formed to counter the escalating threat of Iranian-backed weapons smuggling along Israel’s eastern frontier. Established and deployed at high speed during the 2025/2026 regional security shift, the Gilad Division’s primary mandate is to sever the supply lines feeding Palestinian militant groups. The use of the division’s new command center in this interception demonstrates the increasing reliance on integrated technology to monitor the nearly 200-mile border with Jordan.

Tactical Pursuit and Suspect Apprehension

Following the identification of the drone’s landing zone, a joint task force comprising IDF ground troops and Israel Police officers initiated a high-speed pursuit. The suspect, who was operating an off-road vehicle to facilitate a quick escape from the rugged border terrain, was successfully cornered and apprehended. Security forces reported that the smuggler was in possession of 12 handguns and specialized drone piloting equipment at the time of the arrest, suggesting a professionalized approach to the illicit transit.