Long before Hamas militants emerged from their Gaza stronghold to carry out a massacre using handguns and assault rifles, Iran and its allies had intensified their efforts to clandestinely transport weapons to a different part of the Palestinian territories, the West Bank.

This smuggling operation, facilitated by drones, covert airline flights, and a land bridge spanning hundreds of miles and at least four national borders, has raised concerns of a potential new conflict in the ongoing war between Israel and the Palestinians.

It also presents an increasing threat to Jordan, a staunch U.S. ally that shares borders with both Israel and the West Bank and has been struggling to contain the flow of drugs and arms.

Iran has long been a patron of Hamas, providing financial support, weapons, and training, the Wall Street Journal reported.

However, with Egypt cracking down on smuggling routes through the Sinai Peninsula, which borders the Gaza Strip, Hamas has been compelled to rely more on domestically manufactured weapons, particularly rockets.

The majority of Iranian weapons destined for Palestinians are funneled into the West Bank, with a particular focus on the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, a militant group allied with Hamas.

According to a senior Jordanian security official, both of these groups have been designated as terrorist organizations by the U.S., Europe, and Israel.

The official also highlighted the growth of networks of smugglers, aided by the Syrian government and Iranian-backed militias like Hezbollah.

Written by staff