IDF Officer: Hamas Stealing Building Materials for Terror Tunnels

Hamas is rebuilding its terror infrastructure in Gaza at the expense of the Palestinian population by using construction materials imported through Israel to build rockets and tunnels.

Hamas is using the cement it receives for humanitarian purposes to rebuild its terror tunnels instead of rehabilitating the Gaza Strip, a senior IDF officer charged Tuesday.

Major-General Yoav Mordechai, Israel’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), the IDF unit responsible for implementing government policy in Judea and Samaria and vis-à-vis the Gaza Strip, accused Hamas of diverting building materials meant for humanitarian purposes in the Gaza Strip.

“Members of Hamas seized construction materials from a depository by force and took them to support Hamas’ infrastructure,” he said in a statement with regard to the entry of over 1.7 million tons of construction material into the Gaza Strip for the reconstruction process, which Israel has allowed.

Israel restricts and monitors the materials brought into Gaza precisely because Hamas uses them to build terror tunnels and for rocket production.

Hamas has been working relentlessly to rehabilitate its terror infrastructure, which was heavily damaged by the IDF during Operation Protective Edge.

Mordechai also denied frequent reports that Israel is negotiating with Hamas on a long-term ceasefire agreement. “Israel maintains relations only with the Palestinian Authority (PA) and does not have any connection with any other Palestinian party,” he declared.

Israel has already denied the persistent reports about talks with Hamas.

By: Max Gelber, United with Israel