ISRAEL IS SPOOKING SMUGGLING NETWORK SUPPLYING ARMS TO GAZA/HAMAS
http://www.worldtribune.com/
CAIRO — Israel is said to have infiltrated the massive arms smuggling network contracted to supply the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.
An Egyptian daily said Israeli intelligence was believed to have penetrated Libyan arms suppliers to Hamas and Palestinian militias in the Gaza Strip. Al Yom Al Sabea asserted that Hamas was concerned that Israel was tracking weapons shipments through the installation of tiny devices.
In a report on March 3, the newspaper said Hamas refused to accept at least one weapons shipment from Libya because of fear of Israeli tracking devices. The newspaper, quoting a source close to Egyptian smugglers, said Hamas refused delivery of 28 unidentified long-range rockets.
In 2013, Egypt reported several interceptions of missiles, rockets and explosives from Libya to the Gaza Strip. The reports said most of the arms shipments were stopped soon after truck convoys crossed the Libyan border with Egypt.
Hamas was also said to have assessed that Bedouin arms smugglers in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula were quietly working with Israeli intelligence to identify and track major missile and rocket shipments to the Gaza Strip. Al Yom said Hamas severed relations with dozens of such smugglers.
“They [arms smugglers] had revealed their relations with Hamas to the authorities,” the newspaper, which did not elaborate, said.
The newspaper said the arms shipments were often accompanied by a Hamas liaison. In one case, the liaison, identified as a senior officer of Hamas’ military, found Israeli tracking devices on the Libyan weapons.
Hamas has assessed that Israeli intelligence was trying to also infiltrate arms suppliers in Sudan, another major supplier to the Gaza Strip. Al Yom said Hamas commanders said they would crack down on those who were working with Israeli intelligence in Sinai.
“The [latest] incident will not go unpunished.” Al Yom quoted a Hamas source as saying.
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