JERUSALEM: Israeli forces shot and wounded three Egyptians who were smuggling hashish across the border into Israel, the military said Sunday.

The military said the incident occurred after nightfall north of the Israeli city of Eilat, where the Egyptian, Israeli and Jordanian borders converge. Soldiers spotted the three carrying large bags and ordered them to halt. The military said they ignored the calls, and soldiers opened fire, wounding them slightly.

The military said the bags contained 28 kg of hashish.

Smugglers frequently take advantage of the long, unprotected border to smuggle contraband and people into Israel.