Israel Intercepts Steel for Building Rockets in Gaza

Terror smuggling caught by Israel again. Illustrative example of smuggling goods. Photo courtesy of the Israel Tax Authority.

Terror smuggling caught by Israel again. Illustrative example of smuggling goods. Photo courtesy of the Israel Tax Authority.

A truck supposedly laden with spare parts and home electronics was carrying cargo that could have been used to attack the Israeli homefront: stainless steel plates, which can be used for building rockets. The Facebook page for the Israeli group that administers the crossings into Gaza, known as Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), noted that the truck was supposed to have an innocent payload.

“Hamas, however, had other plans,” said the COGAT statement. “They attempted to hide stainless steal metal, which is used to build rockets, inside the goods. Those rockets could have been used to hit Israeli civilians and take innocent lives.” The post said they confiscated not only the goods, but for the first time captured the truck as well. “We must battle the deadly threat of terror with strong measures. The safety of Israel comes first,” said the statement.

Hamas seeking to smuggle into Gaza materials that can be used for weapons—and even weapons themselves—is a reminder why Israel and Egypt maintain strict border control with Gaza. Hamas has launched thousands of rockets at Israel and fought multiple wars with the Jewish state over the last decade. Israel has long pointed to such militaristic enterprises as showing the true face of Hamas even as Gaza struggles economically.

Noted COGAT about the latest smuggling attempt busted by Israel, “This is not new, but still distressing—Hamas terrorists rather hurt Israeli civilians than help their own citizens!”

Separately, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu underscored the Israeli approach to the region—which is witnessing conflict and upheaval in multiple directions—in comments released by his office on Tuesday. “The reality in the Middle East is changing very rapidly and not necessarily to our detriment,” said the Israeli leader. “The most important thing is that must be very strong.”

(By Joshua Spurlock, www.themideastupdate.com, November 16, 2016)

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