Jordanian authorities announced on Tuesday that they arrested 16 people with Hamas connections for smuggling weapons and attempting to destabilize the kingdom.

The officials said the suspects were “undermining national security and creating chaos within the country.”

The individuals connected to Hamas were found to have been manufacturing missiles with materials obtained from abroad and possessing explosives.

The suspects were surveilled since 2021 because they were believed to have been producing missiles, conspiring to destabilize Jordan and training terrorist operatives.

In addition, those detained were suspected of organizing street protests in Jordan and attempting to radicalize the substantial Palestinian population.

The Jordanian authorities also arrested Khaled al-Johani, director of the office of the Islamic Action Front.

Israel has repeatedly warned of increased trafficking of weapons by Iran and its operatives through Jordan as well as activities to destabilize the kingdom, which borders Israel.

In addition to weapons, there is concern that funds have been smuggled through Jordan to fund terrorist groups in Judea and Samaria.

Israel will start building the long-discussed security fence along its border with Jordan. The project, expected to last three years, will cost NIS 5.2 billion ($1.4 billion).

Photo: IDF soldier on the border fence with Jordan - IDF Spokesman