Israel uncovers online weapons smuggling cell in West Bank

Israeli military on Wednesday said Israeli forces raided an online “illegal weapons shop” in the West Bank city of Nablus.

“Overnight, security forces uncovered a store that sold weaponry and hundreds of weapon parts and ammunition were seized,’’ a military spokesperson said in a statement.

The online procurements were made by a “terror cell” that has manufactured weaponry parts.

“Over the past few months, four firearms and hundreds of weapon parts belonging to the cell were seized in security forces’ operations, including 130 bullets, 90 magazines, and 127 various parts,’’ the spokesperson said.

The forces arrested the shop owner together with eight other suspects who were taken for interrogation.

“Also, another store suspected of receiving and selling weapon parts over the past few years was uncovered,’’ the military said.

The spokesperson said that raid was carried out in the context of an ongoing intelligence and operational effort against illegal weaponry in the West Bank.

“The raid was the start of a widespread operation in the area of Nablus,’’ the spokesperson added.