Post-Operation Cast Lead: Smuggling of Explosives into Gaza Continues

At least 70 tons of explosives have reached the Gaza Strip since the end of Operation Cast Lead, according to the director of Israel’s domestic security agency. Addressing the cabinet during its weekly meeting on Sunday, Yuval Diskin said that in addition to tons of explosives, anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles, raw materials for the production of weapons, rockets and mortar shells have been reaching Gaza-based terrorists, casting further doubt on the accomplishments of the ground invasion that caused significant damage to Israel’s image within the international community. Diskin also warned that the kidnapping of more Israeli soldiers was a high priority among the terrorist groups. Corporal Gilad Shalit has been in captivity since June 2006, and although a deal for his return remains elusive, when completed it will result in the return of hundreds of Palestinians jailed in Israel for security-related crimes and even participation in terrorist attacks. The good news Diskin had to report was a sharp decline in the firing of rockets from Gaza into Israel in recent weeks. The cabinet also decided to invoke measures against Palestinian prisoners until Shalit is released. There are about 11,000 being held, and about 4,000 of them belong to Hamas, which is holding Shalit. Leisure and educational privileges will be curtailed until Shalit is released.