Israel thwarted an attempt to smuggle IDF uniforms and equipment into the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, the Defense Ministry said.
Border Crossings Authority inspectors intercepted the shipment, which included IDF uniforms, hats, flak jackets, fleece sweatshirts, and other gear, at the Kerem Shalom border crossing with Gaza.
Defense officials said that in all likelihood, Gaza-based terrorists intended to use the gear to disguise themselves as IDF soldiers and carry out attacks.
The Office of the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories posted about the incident on its Arabic Facebook page, saying: "An attempt to smuggle IDF uniforms and equipment, intended for terrorists in the Gaza Strip, was foiled at the Kerem Shalom Crossing. Neither Hamas nor any of the other terrorist organizations in the strip have any use for these uniforms, other than to use them to perpetrate terrorist attacks against the State of Israel.
"The items (among them boots, backpacks and hats), which had been listed as second-hand clothing, were confiscated, and the truck that tried smuggling them into Gaza was seized. Smuggling attempts of this sort clearly illustrate why cargo has to undergo security inspections. The terrorist organizations in Gaza cannot be trusted – and this is the message that the people of Gaza also must internalize."
Hundreds of smuggling attempts to Gaza were thwarted in 2017.
Among the confiscated items were closed-circuit security camera equipment, lead and aluminum pipes, metal balls, scuba diving gear, IDF boots and uniforms, and coins and sculptures with archaeological value.
Kerem Shalom is the only crossing through which goods and materials enter Gaza from Israel. Up to 1,000 trucks travel through it daily.
