Gantz orders seizure of smuggled contraband destined for Gaza

IDF seizes shipments containing large quantities of chemicals, materials and communications equipment that could be repurposed for military use as well as shipments of gold to West Bank
i24NEWS|
Defense Minister Benny Gantz signed five administrative orders for the seizure of suspected contraband material destined for the Gaza Strip, shortly before the eruption of the hostilities between Israel and Gaza's terrorist factions on May 10.
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  • According to a ministry statement released on Monday, the shipments contained large quantities of potassium chloride, glycerin, polyurethane, polyester, fiberglass, and communications equipment.
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    Blue and White leader Benny Gantz
    Blue and White leader Benny Gantz
    Defense Minister Benny Gantz
    (Photo: Amit Shabi)
    All the seized equipment can be used for civilian as well as military purposes and would have been likely used by the terrorist group Hamas which rules Gaza.
    "Since the beginning of the year, the defense minister has signed more than twenty administrative orders against contraband material suspected of being used by Hamas and other terrorist factions in Gaza," the statement read.
    An order was also issued to stop a clandestine shipment of gold worth over NIS 1 million ($300,000) from the Gaza Strip to the West Bank, melted into the shape of nails, and planted wooden surfaces.
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    הצעדה של אנשי חמאס בעזה
    הצעדה של אנשי חמאס בעזה
    Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip
    (Photo: AP)
    The seizure also comes on top of two orders signed earlier this month against concealed gold bars weighing a total of 13 kg that were confiscated after terrorist activists attempted to smuggle them from the Palestinian coastal enclave to the West Bank.
    "The smuggling of gold from Gaza is part of Hamas' efforts to finance the activities of the terrorist organization in the West Bank," according to the Defense Ministry, which estimates the value of such seizures in the millions.

    Reprinted with permission from i24NEWS.
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