From Playgrounds to Pistols: Israeli Sting Uncovers Shocking Child Gun-Runners
In a sweeping yearlong sting, Israeli police arrested 32 suspects, including a 10-year-old, in a major weapons trafficking crackdown. The undercover operation, led by agent “Matrix,” uncovered stolen IDF arms, bomb labs, and disturbing child involvement.
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Israeli authorities arrested 32 suspects, including a 10-year-old boy and a 15-year-old teen, in a major crackdown on illegal arms trafficking across East Jerusalem, southern Israel, and Judea and Samaria, police announced. The yearlong operation, led by the Jerusalem District’s central investigative unit, uncovered a network selling firearms, explosives, and ammunition worth approximately 1.3 million shekels ($350,000).
An undercover agent, code-named “Matrix,” infiltrated the criminal network, purchasing 28 fully functional firearms, dozens of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and large quantities of ammunition. Some weapons were smuggled from abroad, while others were stolen from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Authorities are investigating potential links to terrorist activities.
The involvement of minors stunned investigators. The 10-year-old, encouraged by relatives, sold weapons to the agent and expressed aspirations to become “an arms dealer.” The 15-year-old boasted of owning a personal pistol. “A 10-year-old selling weapons crosses a red line,” a police official said. “This is a societal wake-up call.”
Joint raids by Jerusalem District detectives, Border Police, and IDF troops targeted suspects’ homes, seizing additional firearms, drugs, and vehicles. The operation exposed an illegal bomb-making lab, with dozens more IEDs confiscated. All suspects were detained for questioning and are scheduled for court remand hearings.
Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai hailed the operation as a critical blow to organized crime, emphasizing its role in a broader campaign against rising gun violence in Arab communities. “This mission dismantled a dangerous network threatening public safety,” Shabtai said, commending the undercover agent’s skill and bravery. “These operations are among the most challenging, requiring exceptional courage to protect Israeli society.”
The investigation continues, with authorities expecting further arrests in the coming days.