Israeli officials again caught a shipment of materials slated for a weapons-production project belonging to Hamas terrorists.
Israel officials were successful in apprehending a large shipment of materials used for the production of bombs en route to Gaza, the Shin Bet (Israel’s Security Agency) announced Thursday.
Tax and Customs Authority workers caught 15 tons of sulfuric acid, which is a component in the production of explosives, at the Nitzana checkpoint.
The shipment bill stated that it contained 30 tons of paint thinner, but it also included 15 tons of the illicit materials.
The material had a sharp odor, raising the suspicion of inspectors. The Shin Bit examined the shipment and confirmed that the liquid was in fact sulfuric acid.
The large amount of sulfuric acid would have enabled the terror organizations in Gaza to produce three tons of TNT, officials said.
Hamas terrorists show the M-75 home-made rocket in a military parade. (Wissam Nassar/Flash90)
Security officials estimate that the terror organization hoped to smuggle the materials through the Kerem Shalom Checkpoint, taking advantage of the import of materials into Gaza which is intended for the rehabilitation of the Strip in the wake of Operation Protective Edge.
Over the past year, Israel has repeatedly apprehended shipments of materials and equipment headed for Gaza, which would have been used for terror purposes.
In January, Israeli naval forces intercepted a shipment of liquid fiberglass, which is used to manufacture rockets and mortars.
In March, Israel uncovered an efficient network operated by Hamas to acquire and smuggle materials used for strengthening the organization’s military infrastructure in Gaza, including tons of raw materials that were used in its military installations.
In April, smugglers attempted to get 18 tons of special “metallurgical coke” coal, used as fuel in firing furnaces to forge metals, into the Strip for its rocket-production project.
In May, Israeli security officials discovered a shipment of diving suits intended for Hamas’ terror commandos.
Hamas has been facing difficulty acquiring weapons of quality since Egypt established a large buffer zone on its border with Gaza and destroyed the terror group’s smuggling tunnels through the Sinai Peninsula.
As a result, Hamas is producing domestic-made rockets.
By: Max Gelber, United with Israel