The espionage components detected inside the rockets were of an unknown source, and expressed fears that Egyptians working in the arms smuggling trade may be targeted, an Egyptian news website reported Monday.
Hamas refused to receive a shipment of missiles that were smuggled into the Gaza Strip from Libya across the Sinai desert, after it was discovered that they contained espionage and surveillance devices which would enable Israel to track the missiles, an Egyptian news web site reported Monday.
Assorted collection of mortars and shells. Photo: Reuters
The site, Youm7.com [Seven Days] quoted “informed sources” close to the people smuggling the weapons shipment across Sinai, saying that 28 long-range missiles were moved during the past few days from Libya via desert routes until it got to the mountainous areas in central Sinai.
According to the sources, a missile expert from the Qassam Brigades the military wing of Hamas arrived at the site in central Sinai to inspect the shipment and decide whether or not to smuggle it into the Gaza Strip through tunnels.
While examining the missiles, the Hamas expert detected espionage and surveillance components attached to the missiles, and so refused to receive the shipment.
Youm7 quoted sources confirming that Hamas has “ended its dealings with a large number of arms smugglers in Sinai” after it was discovered that weapons transferred from Libya to Gaza may be discovered.
The sources pointed out that the espionage components in the shipment of rockets were of an unknown source, and expressed fears that following this incident, Egyptians working in the arms smuggling trade may be targeted.
According to the report, the smugglers have received threats from prominent leaders in the Hamas military wing that “this incident will not pass without punishment” if it turns out that the surveillance devices were planted by Israel to spy on Hamas terrorists or to track them in Egypt, Libya and Sudan.
View original Israel Hayom publication at: http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=7677
Israeli New Shekel Exchange Rate