GAG ORDER LIFTED: The Israel Security Agency (ISA), Israel Police, Israel Tax Authority and the State Attorney’s Office, assisted by the Defense Ministry, the IDF and the Justice Ministry, have recently uncovered an efficient network operated by Hamas to acquire and smuggle materials used for strengthening the organization’s military infrastructure in Gaza.

Three Israelis have been indicted for assisting Hamas in Gaza to rebuild its tunnel infrastructure to southern Israel. A total of four indictments were handed down, one against an Arab and three against Israelis. They sold materials for rebuilding the terrorist tunnel network to Gazans via an Arab merchant, who was among those indicted.

The Israelis own large companies that sell building supplies and it is alleged they knew quite well that the raw materials sold to Gaza via the Arab intermediary were intended to rehabilitate the terrorist tunnel network. Materials sold to the terrorists included electronics in addition to the construction materials. The sales amounts to millions of shekels.

Micha Peretz of the Eshkol Regional Council, Yehoram Alon from Tel Aviv and a third man whose name is still under the gag order have been indicted. The agent they dealt with is a businessman with known links to Hamas.

By means of this network, the Hamas purchased and brought into Gaza via the Kerem Shalom Crossing, thousands of tons of raw materials that were used in its military installations, to prepare attack tunnels, at its training facilities and for the manufacture of war materiel. In certain instances, the materials that were purchased in Israel were transported from the Arab side of the Kerem Shalom Crossing directly to Hamas training bases and installations.

The ISA, in conjunction with the Israel Police and Israel Tax Authority, has so far investigated 26 suspects, including Israeli citizens, who were involved in supplying the materials, storing them and smuggling them through the Kerem Shalom Crossing. The Israel Police and Israel Tax Authority have also investigated additional suspects. Trucks and large quantities of to-be-smuggled materiel were seized.

Severe indictments – including for security offenses – have been filed in Beersheva District Court. Requests have been filed regarding the confiscation of the seized vehicles and materials.

Operation of the network

The Kerem Shalom Crossing provides the only passage for merchandise and goods between Israel and Gaza. The State of Israel saw to the regular operation of the Crossing, even during Operation Protective Edge, in order to allow the importation of consumer goods and basic products for the population of Gaza. Terrorists in Gaza, especially Hamas, identified the potential at the Crossing for bringing in materials need to build up their military infrastructures.

Registered Arab merchants were used to purchase a range of raw materials and other goods (including – inter alia – iron and various iron goods and products, electrical and electronic equipment, communications equipment, fiber optic cables, drills and other digging equipment, concrete, etc.) for military use. Israeli, foreign and Palestinian Authority-based suppliers supplied the goods. Elements in Israel were, for the most part, used to store the goods. These elements were aware that the goods in question were for Gaza despite the lack of the necessary permits and either knew or estimated that they were designated for terrorist organizations.

In this manner, large quantities of materials were systematically purchased in Israel and smuggled into the Gaza Strip over a period of time. As routes through Sinai became more difficult, the foregoing route became more valuable to Hamas.

Among the Gaza terrorists involved were:

Muhammad Oda – A Hamas operative involved in the production of war materiel. He purchased hundreds of tons of iron and galvanized pipes, which were transported directly to Hamas training facilities.

Adnan Seir – A Hamas operative involved in the production of war materiel.

Muhammad Abu Halima – He purchased tones of pipes and iron which were transported directly to Hamas installations built on the ruins of former Jewish communities.

The Al-Tzalah Association – Affiliated with Hamas.

Smuggled goods were frequently hidden among consignments that had received the necessary permits. In one instance, raw materials for use in the manufacture of explosives were hidden in a container of humanitarian equipment.

The case underscores – yet again – how Hamas cynically exploits Israel’s humanitarian approach and how Hamas does not hesitate to endanger the basic interests of the Palestinian public in its efforts to rebuild its Gaza-based military capabilities.

Hamas has invested vast sums in building up its military infrastructure even as its leaders and spokesmen seize every opportunity to bewail the Palestinian public’s dire economic plight.

The tunnel equipment was interspersed in contains with legitimate goods sold to Gaza. A shell business was established in a PA (Palestinian Authority) area to cover their tracks. According to the ISA (Israel Security Agency – Shin Bet), the Israelis received at least 1 million shekels each. They brought the goods from Ashdod and warehouses in central Israel and unloaded and reloaded to disguise shipments that eventually entered Gaza.

The investigation was launched in January 2015 after a suspicious truck was detected entering Gaza. Police report they are somewhat surprised just how willing the defendants are to cooperate and provide information detailing their smuggling operation. .

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)