Israel seizes ‘explosive substances’ heading to Gaza

Israeli occupation authorities claimed yesterday that it had seized tons of explosive material on its way from Israel to the Gaza Strip at Kerem Shalom Crossing, Quds Press reported.

Israeli TV Channel 7 reported that these substances had been revealed after they were tested by a chemical laboratory set up at the crossing.

An army statement announced the details about the claimed smuggling, but it did not state the time or date when the material was seized because a gag order had been imposed on the issue that remained in place until today.

The statement stated that the material is of dual use as it could be used for civil purposes, as well as for manufacturing weapons.

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Israeli newspaper Haaretz said that the Israeli Border Crossing Authority, the Israeli defence ministry, the Shin Bet security service and the police run the new laboratory, which can test a wide range of substances, including gas, liquids, powder and metal.

The Gaza Strip has been under a strict Israeli siege since 2007. As part of the siege, Israel prevents entry of more than 500 industrial and commercial raw materials under pretext of dual use.