Israel’s Defense Ministry said on Wednesday that it has thwarted an attempt to smuggle ten reconnaissance drones into the Gaza Strip.
The drones were concealed in a black bag inside a minibus at the Erez Crossing, the main pedestrian crossing between Israel and the coastal enclave, according to a statement released by the ministry.
These drones are suspected to be sent to militant groups in Gaza for reconnaissance purposes, said the statement.
They were detected by specially trained canines when the security guards inspected vehicles at the crossing, it added, noting that further investigation on the incident is underway.
The Gaza Strip, home to about 2 million people, has been under an Israeli blockade since 2007 and is currently ruled by the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas). The two sides have fought several wars in the Palestinian enclave in recent years.