Khaberni - Just before a session of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee today in the Israeli Knesset, the Ripman Institute for the Development of the Negev called for immediate actions including issuing urgent legislation to close the borders with Egypt.
Today, Wednesday, under the chairmanship of Hagai Raznik, the institute published a detailed report on the state of civil security in southern Israel, focusing on arms smuggling from the Egyptian border area. The report, prepared with the help of Dr. Shimon Oz, was based on open sources, according to the Israeli news site B7net.
The report describes what it termed "unprecedented stockpiles of illegal weapons," confirming the existence of over 100,000 weapons in the Negev, an amount comparable to the firepower of approximately 50 infantry brigades.
Among the key and worrying data included in the report:
The leakage of weapons from Sinai to the Negev, and the continued flow of this leakage towards the West Bank territories with expanding smuggling routes.
A 71% increase in the volume of illegal weapons since October 2023.
The development of a market for renting weapons, with an assault rifle M16 being rented for about 500 shekels per day (about 7 shekels per bullet), and a MAG machine gun for about 1000 shekels per day (about 12 shekels per bullet).
The use of drones and camouflaged vehicles in smuggling operations, with at least 12 cases (between 2021 and 2025) of thwarted weapons smuggling or theft attempts documented.
A sharp increase in illegal entries during the recent holidays.
Involvement of residents from the diaspora in lethal attacks over the past decade, with 9 documented cases of arrests and indictments for planning and financially supporting terrorist organizations.
The report also provided data on casualties from the Bedouin community in the "Gaza" War, including 20 civilians and 14 fighters, alongside descriptions of local cooperation and solidarity, and a warning about the presence of a "dangerous social vacuum".
The report presented a series of fundamental recommendations, including:
Issuing a temporary order to pinpoint weapon locations and clean them in the Negev, with granting powers of inspection and administrative detention based on intelligence.
Complete closure of the Egyptian borders to prevent arms leakage.
Granting effective legal powers to the regulatory authority in the area, pointing out that "the current authority is incapable".
Taking specific steps to reduce ties between the West Bank and the Negev, including the issue of marriage between residents of the two areas.
Encouraging the education of Israeli teachers, economic development, the provision of temporary municipal services, and tightening control over violent crimes.
Hagai Raznik, head of the Ripman Institute said: "The events of October 7th will flare up again, but from within the Negev. Before the next inquiry committee is asked why there was no warning and who did not warn: the Negev is filled with weapons, the law is absent, and the state is oblivious. If the government does not wake up now, in a few years we won't be able to control what happens here. This is not just a security threat, but a threat to Israeli sovereignty itself."
Raznik also highlighted the necessity of investing not only in the disarmament of illegal weapons but also in "civil justice": education, employment, and a decent life for every Bedouin citizen in the Negev, emphasizing that the majority of the Bedouin population are law-abiding, but extremists are exploiting the governmental vacuum.
The Ripman Institute's report was published on the eve of a crucial hearing session for the Foreign Affairs and Security Committee in the Knesset, scheduled today, October 15, where committee members are expected to discuss the findings and recommendations, and call on top institute officials to take immediate steps to prevent any escalation that might lead to civilian casualties and undermine sovereignty.
