Explosive materials discovered inside crates of medical supplies at the Kerem Shalom Crossing into the Gaza Strip. (photo credit: DEFENSE MINISTRY)
Israeli authorities foiled and attempt to smuggle explosive components for long-range projectiles into the Gaza Strip at the Kerem Shalom Crossing, the Defense Ministry announced in a statement on Sunday morning.
The explosive material was intercepted by security authorities this past week after crates with containers with medical equipment destined for the Strip were removed and packages inside the containers were taken to a laboratory for additional testing.
Be the first to know - Join our Facebook page.
The laboratory test was carried out using advanced equipment which checks a wide range of materials such as gases, liquids, powders, solids, metals and other materials.
The materials seized by authorities were then identified as a central component in the preparation of explosive charges and in the high-trajectory projectiles fired toward Israel from the Gaza Strip.
The laboratory that identified the materials removed in the medical shipment was set up several months ago at the Kerem Shalom crossing in order to locate problematic materials whose entry into the Strip is forbidden for fear of reaching terrorist groups like Hamas or Islamic Jihad.
The laboratory is a joint project of the Crossings Authority, the Shin Bet internal security service and Israel Police's crossing department, whose operational purpose is to quickly identify materials.
Israeli authorities, including the Crossing Authority together with Shin Bet, COGAT, Israel Police and Israel Tax Authority, regularly intercept illicit goods heading for Hamas at crossings from Israel into the Strip.
Security inspectors at the Erez and Kerem Shalom crossings thwarted hundreds of attempts to smuggle contraband into the enclave in 2017, including an attempt to smuggle explosive material hidden inside spools of medical material at the Erez Crossing in May.
The Kerem Shalom crossing is the sole commercial crossing into the Hamas-run enclave which UN Middle East envoy Nickolay Mladenov warned Tuesday was on the verge of full collapse, something which would have security implications for the region.
“I am particularly worried about the situation in Gaza. I really believe that we are on the brink of another explosion which is not in the interest of anyone and we must do everything we can to prevent it,” he told The Jerusalem Post.
“Every escalation in Gaza has been deadlier than the previous one,” he continued.“The last one was pretty devastating and I am worried that the next one, should it occur, it would be really really devastating for the people in Gaza and the region with consequences in Israel and Egypt.”
Hadashot news reported Saturday evening that Israeli security officials have for the first time weighed the idea of sending food and medicine into the Gaza Strip in an effort to prevent the deteriorating conditions from spiraling into violence. Israel has until now only facilitated the transfer of goods into the Strip, not directly sending humanitarian aid.
Tensions have been high along the Gaza-Israel border in recent months. Over two dozen projectiles have been fired toward southern Israel since late October after the IDF discovered and destroyed a cross-border Islamic Jihad terror and the recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital by United States President Donald Trump.
The pan-Arab newspaper Al-Hayat reported on Sunday that sources close to Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar believe there is a "95 percent chance" that Israel will launch another conflict as it carries out several IDF drills in southern Israel.
According to the report, Hamas has declared the highest level of alert, placing police and security forces around the enclave and evacuated most of their command echelon from its headquarters and other facilities in the Strip.
The Israeli army is currently carrying out a large-scale drill in the south of the country which troops focusing on securing and evacuating border communities. Troops will also be drilling on dealing with multiple surprise attacks in various points along the border.
“We have a strong and clear plan in case of another war with Gaza which will take care of many things for the State of Israel,” a senior IDF officer in the southern command said.
While neither side wants another round of conflict, a war with the Hamas-run enclave “is not theoretical,” he continued. “An escalation can occur at any moment, so we are preparing and increasing the readiness of our troops.”