Israel Thwarted Attempted Smuggling of Ammonium Chloride to Gaza
Customs and the Israel Security Agency seized four tons of ammonium chloride concealed within a shipment of salt. Hundreds of long-range rockets can be fueled using the seized chemical
Or Heller
| 03/05/2016
Photo: Nitzana Customs
Before the Passover holiday, customs and ISA officials at the Nitzana Border Crossing used by Egypt, Israel and the Palestinian Authority seized four tons of ammonium chloride concealed within a shipment of salt. Ammonium chloride can be used in the production of long-range rockets and the quantity of material seized had the potential to yield hundreds of such weapons.
About a week before the Passover holiday, a shipment arrived at the Nitzana crossing, used for the passage of goods between Israel, Egypt and the Palestinian Authority. The shipment was intended for delivery to Gaza and was declared to contain 40 tons of salt. A thorough examination performed by Customs at Nitzana revealed that amidst the 40 tons of salt, 4 tons of ammonium chloride was concealed. Ammonium chloride is defined as dual-purpose and the transfer of such material to the Gaza Strip requires a license because it can be used by terrorist organizations, such as Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad to manufacture long-range rockets. Recently, the ISA has grown increasingly concerned regarding the large amount of salt ordered to Gaza and that the shipments of salt are used for smuggling of chemicals designated for the production lines in the Gaza Strip, especially rocket production.
The ISA estimates that the importer of the latest smuggling attempt is a Gaza resident associated with Hamas. The importer was believed to have been urged by the terrorist group to bring the materials into the Strip for manufacturing use by Hamas. The ISA emphasized that this case illustrates that terrorist operatives in Gaza smuggle dual-use materials into the coastal Palestinian enclave for militant purposes under the guise of imports intended for the civilian population and construction of restoration projects.
ISA and the Customs Administration view this incident as severe and intend to continue to identify and thwart the smuggling of dual-use materials, while prosecuting those involved in smuggling attempts. The cooperation between the Customs Administration and ISA has already led to the thwarting of dozens of smuggling attempts of prohibited products and materials into Gaza, which were allegedly intended for terrorist organizations, including: sulfuric acid, diving Suits, polyurethane propellant for rockets, sulfur rods, fiberglass rolls, and a special coal used to fuel iron furnaces for processing metals.
Customs and the Israel Security Agency seized four tons of ammonium chloride concealed within a shipment of salt. Hundreds of long-range rockets can be fueled using the seized chemical
Photo: Nitzana Customs
Before the Passover holiday, customs and ISA officials at the Nitzana Border Crossing used by Egypt, Israel and the Palestinian Authority seized four tons of ammonium chloride concealed within a shipment of salt. Ammonium chloride can be used in the production of long-range rockets and the quantity of material seized had the potential to yield hundreds of such weapons.
About a week before the Passover holiday, a shipment arrived at the Nitzana crossing, used for the passage of goods between Israel, Egypt and the Palestinian Authority. The shipment was intended for delivery to Gaza and was declared to contain 40 tons of salt. A thorough examination performed by Customs at Nitzana revealed that amidst the 40 tons of salt, 4 tons of ammonium chloride was concealed. Ammonium chloride is defined as dual-purpose and the transfer of such material to the Gaza Strip requires a license because it can be used by terrorist organizations, such as Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad to manufacture long-range rockets. Recently, the ISA has grown increasingly concerned regarding the large amount of salt ordered to Gaza and that the shipments of salt are used for smuggling of chemicals designated for the production lines in the Gaza Strip, especially rocket production.
The ISA estimates that the importer of the latest smuggling attempt is a Gaza resident associated with Hamas. The importer was believed to have been urged by the terrorist group to bring the materials into the Strip for manufacturing use by Hamas. The ISA emphasized that this case illustrates that terrorist operatives in Gaza smuggle dual-use materials into the coastal Palestinian enclave for militant purposes under the guise of imports intended for the civilian population and construction of restoration projects.
ISA and the Customs Administration view this incident as severe and intend to continue to identify and thwart the smuggling of dual-use materials, while prosecuting those involved in smuggling attempts. The cooperation between the Customs Administration and ISA has already led to the thwarting of dozens of smuggling attempts of prohibited products and materials into Gaza, which were allegedly intended for terrorist organizations, including: sulfuric acid, diving Suits, polyurethane propellant for rockets, sulfur rods, fiberglass rolls, and a special coal used to fuel iron furnaces for processing metals.
