Security workers at the Kerem Shalom border crossing uncovered on Sunday thousands of illegally smuggled professional military boots, intended for elite fighter of Hamas' military wing, named the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.
The smuggling attempt was thwarted after an Israeli truck seemingly carrying a shipment of house slippers into the Gaza Strip aroused the suspicion of Land Crossings Authority inspectors.
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Professional military boots smuggled inside fake slippers
(צילום: רשות המעברים במשרד הביטחון)
When the inspectors checked the shipment, they found that the apparent slippers, which were covered with various emoji figures, didn't have any leg holes and were much heavier and bulkier than expected. Tearing them apart, they found professional army boots in a variety of colors hidden inside.
The truck, with all its contents, was confiscated and transferred to a special anti-smuggling task force comprised of members of the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), Shin Bet, Israel Police, Israel Customs Administration and the Land Crossings Authority.
Inspectors tear slippers shipment apart to find smuggled military boots
(צילום: רשות המעברים במשרד הביטחון)
"The smuggling attempts, as revealed this morning, are part of a daily war that is mostly invisible to the public," said Kerem Shalom crossing manager Ami Shaked. "I'm proud of the security inspectors who acted exactly as we expect them to."
The head of the Gaza Civil Liaison Administration (CLA), Commander Col. Fares Atilla, said that "the confiscation that took place this morning at Kerem Shalom is another attempt by the Hamas terrorist organization to abuse Israeli civilian policy toward the residents of the Gaza Strip.
"We will continue to be vigilant in order to ensure that the goods reach their destination and are not used for the purpose of terrorism," he added.