The Shin Bet security agency will begin using administrative orders to combat illegal drone smuggling following a visit by Deputy Minister Almog Cohen to Bir HaDaj in the Negev, an initiative backed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This action, intended to eradicate a significant threat to national security, targets criminals involved in drone smuggling. In parallel, Egyptian excavation equipment has entered Gaza to search for the remains of hostages, according to reports. This development occurs as Israel allows Hamas operatives to conduct field patrols and physical searches for kidnapped individuals in Israeli-controlled areas over the past day. This concession was reportedly made under pressure from mediators and U.S. President Donald Trump's emissaries to facilitate progress in the second phase of the Trump initiative. The Shin Bet is also examining the legal framework for potentially using administrative arrests against illegal drug smugglers at the borders, according to i24 News. This comes as Qatar has provided Israel with documentation detailing payments to Gaza, despite indications that some funds may have reached Hamas, as revealed by here news. Furthermore, Egypt has proposed that Hamas form candidate lists for mayoral positions in the Gaza Strip, according to sources familiar with the matter. Concurrently, talks are underway for a meeting between senior U.S. officials and Palestinian Authority leaders regarding the post-conflict future of Gaza. Separately, the IDF is launching a special investigation into a serious security incident involving human error and negligence. Chief of Staff Zamir ordered the investigation, which is being personally supervised by him, to establish new procedures and prevent recurrence. Details of the incident remain undisclosed due to its sensitive nature, but sources describe it as unprecedented and significant.
