Report: Hamas opens new sea-based smuggling routes

Hamas reportedly replacingheavy reliance on tunnels for smuggling weapons and materials for assembling rockets and increasingly using sophisticated underwater methods to secretly funnel material into Gaza.

By World Israel News Staff

The Hamas terror organization has introduced new, more sophisticated methods for smuggling weapons and materials for assembling rockets into the Gaza Strip, enabling the group to conduct sea-based transfers, Israel’s public broadcaster reported on Monday.

According to a report by Kan News, Hamas is working to reduce its reliance on cross-border tunnels and the use of trucks.

To that end, the terror group has innovated new techniques for clandestinely moving materials into Gaza via the Mediterranean, including the use of underwater containers.

The smuggling route, which relies on winter sea conditions, begins roughly five miles off the coast of Sheikh Zuweid in the southern Gaza Strip.

Boats carrying weapons and other goods bound for the Strip dump the items in specially prepared containers five miles from Sheikh Zuweid, allowing sea currents that move at a speed of roughly 2 knots during the night to pull the containers toward the coast.

Traveling under the surface of the water, the containers are not detected by Israeli naval vessels enforcing the security blockade on the Gaza Strip.

After roughly 10 to 14 hours of being dragged by underwater currents, the containers reach their destination along the shore around the Deir al-Balah or Khan Younis areas.

The Mediterranean drop-offs are conducted primarily by smugglers operating from the Sinai Peninsula.

The smuggling operation is increasingly sophisticated, according to the report, utilizing techniques – including the use of drone aircraft – to distract IDF forces monitoring the area.

The report warned that the new smuggling techniques have allowed Hamas to begin upgrading its rocket arsenal, improving the range, accuracy, and stability of its rockets.