by Ari Soffer
Fisherman arrested by Israeli navy reveals Hamas's efforts to circumvent military blockade, in latest Israeli intelligence coup.
Fishermen off the coast of Gaza
Abed Rahim Khatib/Flash 90
The Shin Bet security service (Israel Security Agency), Israeli navy and Israel Police released for publication Monday afternoon the arrest of 39-year-old fisherman Salim Jamal Hasan Na'aman back in April.
Na'aman, a resident of the Shati refugee camp in the Gaza Strip, was initially detained by Israeli naval forces after straying beyond the zone permitted for fishing, as part of the Israeli military's blockade aimed at containing the Hamas terrorist group.
Under Shin Bet interrogation, the fisherman revealed how over a prolonged period he had personally helped smuggle weapons, ammunition, rocket-making equipment and other military equipment via sea into Gaza, on behalf of Hamas and other terrorist organizations.
The items he was tasked with smuggling ranged from live weapons and ammunition, to elements such as liquid fiberglass, which is a key ingredient in rocket production.
Na'aman also revealed to his interrogators a trove of valuable information about Hamas's own naval activities, including how Hamas operatives aided in smuggling efforts, and worked hard to disguise such activities from Israeli intelligence.
He also provided detailed information on Hamas smuggling routes between Gaza and Egypt, such as the use of fishermen and other smugglers.
In a statement, the Shin Bet hailed the breakthrough in efforts to restrict the flow of weapons and ammunition to Hamas and other terrorist groups inside Gaza.
"The intelligence gained from this interrogation, as in the interrogation of other Hamas terror operatives arrested recently, exposes yet another way among many others in which Hamas is investing in preparations for further violent terrorist acts. In this case: taking advantage of concessions by Israel towards fisherman in Gaza," the statement read, referring to Israel's recent extension of the fishing zone.
As noted in the statement, this is only the latest in a series of arrests of Hamas terror operatives from Gaza.
The Shin Bet and IDF recently revealed the arrest of a senior Hamas tunnel builder, who yielded a wealth of intelligence on the jihadist group's efforts to build attack tunnels into Israeli territory.
Another teenage terrorist was also recently captured, revealing yet more information on Hamas's preparations for another war with Israel.
Ari Soffer
Source: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/212347#.Vzs4gOSzddt
Copyright - Original materials copyright (c) by the authors.
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