The Israeli military said Friday that it has foiled an attempt to smuggle material into the Gaza Strip to be used for helping Hamas build rockets.
The army said four suspects were arrested last month after trying to break a maritime blockade on the coastal enclave and reach Egypt’s Sinai peninsula in two boats.
A Shin Bet probe revealed the suspects were headed toward Sinai to smuggle the material to Gaza, the statement said, including 24 barrels of fiberglass, which Hamas uses to make projectiles.
The suspects have been charged with Hamas membership, conspiracy to commit an act of terrorism, attempting to aid a terror organization and several other offenses.
Israel informed the Egyptian authorities about the operation and its objectives, stressing that Hamas continues to deal with terrorist organizations in Sinai despite all the help that Cairo gives to the group.
Among others, Egypt has mediated between Israel and Hamas.
Hamas leaders had promised Egypt to no longer cooperate with armed organizations in Sinai.
