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Israel arrests Gazan for weapons smuggling via fishing boat

Xinhua, May 16, 2016 Adjust font size:

Israel announced that its security forces arrested a Gazan man Monday as he attempted to smuggle weapons into Gaza via a fishing boat.

A military spokesperson said in a statement that Israeli forces arrested Salim Jamal Hassan Na'aman, "Israeli Navy arrested Na'aman after his vessel deviated from the designated fishing zone."

Further investigation revealed that Na'aman was involved in the smuggling of weapons, ammunition, and materials used for rocket manufacturing, according to Israeli military.

The shipment was allegedly intended for Hamas, the Islamist group controlling Gaza, along with other militant groups in Gaza.

"Na'aman provided information regarding Hamas' naval operational plans, its intention to use fishermen to disguise terrorist activity, and the role of fishermen and smugglers in Hamas' smuggling route between the Gaza Strip and Egypt," the spokesperson said.

The arrest comes a week following four days of fire exchange close to the Gaza-Israel border, including mortar rounds fired at soldiers near the border and Israeli artillery shells and air strikes which killed a Palestinian woman in her home.

It was the worst flare-up in two years, ever since the deadly 51-day Israeli offensive against the Strip. Endit