Making an appearance before members of the Knesset Foreign Affairs & Defense Committee, ISA (Israel Security Agency – Shin Bet) Director Yuval Diskin stressed that Hamas and the Islamic Jihad continue efforts to smuggle weapons into Gaza, placing a high priority on arming themselves for the next military confrontation with Israel.

Diskin stated that at present, the two terror organizations in Gaza have at least 5,000 rockets with many capable of traveling 40km (24 miles).

Diskin also addressed the controversial embargo on Gaza, telling committee members that removing the blockade “would be a dangerous step”. He rejected any allegations of a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, warning that even if flotilla vessels seeking to break the embargo are inspected prior to permitting them to enter Gazan waters; such an action would represent a dangerous situation, warning committee members of the terrorist infrastructure that continues efforts to amass arms inside the Hamas-controlled area.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)