Channels

The tobacco haul captured by the Israeli Navy
Photo: IDF Spokesperson

Navy prevents tobacco smugglers from reaching Gaza

Israeli forces capture two Palestinian smugglers with dozens of bags of tobacco destined to be smuggled from Egypt to Gaza. IDF deeply concerned over possibility route could be used by arms smugglers

The Israel Navy captured two Palestinians with dozens of bags of tobacco worth hundreds of thousands of shekels, destined to be smuggled from Egypt to the Gaza Strip, the IDF announced Tuesday.

 

The Navy identified a fishing boat heading in the direction of moorings in the southern Gaza Strip. The boat was heavy in the water; a fact that indicated it was carrying a great deal of weight on board, in contrast to other fishing boats.


זה עלול היה להיות משלוח נשק (צילום: דובר צה"ל)

It could have been weapons – the fishing boat (Photo: IDF Spokesman) 

 

The two Palestinians on board the boat only surrendered after Military forces on board the Dvora Reconnaissance boat fired in the air.

 

They were transferred to the Ashdod port for Shin Bet questioning in order to determine if they were connected to terror organizations or whether the smuggling attempt was criminally motivated.

 

The IDF addressed the "irregular" incident with grave concern in light of the fact that a similar boat could have attempted to smuggle weapons to Gaza in the same manner.

 

Security officials believe that the seaway on which the smuggling attempt was carried out is the usual stomping ground of terror groups not associated with Hamas. Hamas usually uses tunnels on the Philidelphi route to smuggle goods and weapons into Gaza.

 

 

 


פרסום ראשון: 09.21.11, 09:49
 new comment
Warning:
This will delete your current comment