Sixteen Israeli Arabs have been arrested for cooperating with Hezbollah, Army Radio reported.
The detainees are suspected drug dealers who are also suspected of acting to support terror operations against Israel, under the direction of Hezbollah.
In recent weeks security forces have undertaken widespread activity to expose the groups’ activity vis-à-vis drug dealers in Lebanon and to cut off their entry paths to Israel.
The investigation has revealed a developed network of drug dealers in Israel who have worked with Lebanese counterparts known for their ties to Hezbollah. These include activities that were carried out ahead of weapons smuggling attempts into Israel from Lebanon, Syria and Jordan.
Israel Radio reported that the arrests could have scuttled a Hezbollah attack in Israel against the background of Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah’s open support for Hamas during Operation Protective Edge.