Hamas tried to disguise themselves as IDF troops, but Israel foiled their plans. Israeli Soldiers. Illustrative. By Joshua Spurlock
Israel set back plans for a likely Hamas terror attack this week when they intercepted Israeli military uniforms at a crossing into Gaza that were ultimately destined for Hamas. The intent was to smuggle the IDF clothing into Gaza so Hamas terrorists could “disguise themselves as Israeli soldiers when perpetrating cross border attacks,” Israeli Prime Minister’s Office Spokesman Ofir Gendelman said via Twitter.
“Innocent lives were saved,” tweeted Gendelman on Tuesday, who reported the incident and called the intercept “a new blow to Hamas’ efforts to attack Israel.” Terrorists have used disguises in the past to gain access for acts of terror. While Gendelman didn’t specify what attack was likely planned, Hamas has sought to engage in kidnappings in the past in an effort to trade Israelis for captured terrorists, such as was done with Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.
That wasn’t the only Hamas smuggling effort that was foiled. Gendelman also tweeted on Tuesday about the interception of mercury—which can be used to make bombs—that had been hidden in a medical shipment.
“Hamas only cares about arming its terrorists. It doesn’t care about the real needs of Palestinians,” tweeted Gendelman.
Israel has repeatedly intercepted weapons and “dual-use items”—which can be used for civilian and militaristic purposes—that were intended for terrorists in Gaza. The Israelis and the Egyptians maintain a blockade of Gaza to prevent just such items from reaching Hamas and other bad actors in the coastal enclave.
Iran has long been supporters of Hamas. Israeli President Reuven Rivlin just last month made this point to Brazil’s Minister of Foreign Relations, Aloysio Nunes. A press release from Rivlin’s office said he told Nunes that Iran “continued to support Hezbollah and Hamas who threatened Israel each day, and that they supported fundamentalism and terrorism all over the world.”
(By Joshua Spurlock, www.themideastupdate.com, March 14, 2018)