Hamas attempt to smuggle explosives into Israel foiled

Vigilant security inspectors prevented the smuggling of IEDs into Israel from Gaza by women who were exploiting Israeli humanitarian gestures. 

Security inspectors on Wednesday morning at the Erez Crossing seized explosives in the possession of two sisters, residents of the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, who were granted permission to enter Israel on humanitarian grounds.

One of the sisters allegedly suffers from cancer and was approved for entry in order to receive medical care.

The explosives, used in the production of IEDs, were hidden in tubes labeled “medical materials.”

The tubes, discovered during a security inspection were dealt with by sappers from the Israel Police.

A preliminary investigation by the Shin Bet/Israel Security Agency (ISA) revealed that the explosives were sent by Hamas, intended for use in terrorist attacks in the near future.

“The foregoing attests to the ongoing efforts by terrorist organizations based in the Gaza Strip, especially Hamas, to exploit Israel’s humanitarian initiatives and the medical assistance that it provides to residents of the Gaza Strip, in order to perpetrate attacks in Israel,” a statement by the ISA/Ministry of Defense read.

The ISA investigation of the sisters is continuing.

Defense Ministry Crossings Authority Director Brig.-Gen. (ret.) Kamil Abu Rokon commended the Erez Crossing security inspectors for thwarting the smuggling of explosives into Israel.

“To our regret, it has been proven again that Gaza Strip-based terrorists are continuing their efforts to exploit the humanitarian channel in order to carry out attacks in Israel. The security inspectors acted exactly as expected, with exemplary professionalism,” he said.

By: World Israel News Staff
With files from the Government Press Office

Erez CrossingGazaHamas smugglingIsraeli humanitarian aidShin Bet