Israel Defense Minister orders seizure of smuggled contraband destined for Gaza
An order was also issued to stop a clandestine shipment of gold worth over $300,000
Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz signed five administrative orders for the seizure of suspected contraband material destined for the Gaza Strip shortly before hostilities began between Israel and Palestinian Islamist groups.
According to a ministry statement released on Monday, the shipments contained quantities of potassium chloride, glycerin, polyurethane, polyester, fiberglass, and communications equipment.
The equipment is considered dual-use (which can be used for civilian as well as military purposes), and would have been likely used by the military wing of the ruling Hamas group in 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 said.
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 in the surfaces of wood.
The seizure also comes on top of two orders signed earlier this month against concealed gold bars weighing a total of 13 kg, confiscated after militants attempted to smuggle the material 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 suspicions of the Israeli Defense Ministry, which says "the value of the seizures is estimated at million shekels."