Gaza-bound tactical military gloves that were seized by Israel. Photo: Israeli Defense Ministry.

JNS.org – Security inspectors from Israel’s Defense Ministry, along with representatives of the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, thwarted an attempt on Sunday to smuggle thousands of tactical military gloves into Hamas-controlled Gaza.

The military gear was found hidden in a shipment labeled as clothing at Israel’s Kerem Shalom border crossing with Gaza. Israeli security officials suspect the gloves were intended for use by Palestinian terror group Hamas.

“The Hamas terrorist organization has repeatedly tried to exploit Israel’s civilian policy for its own ends at the expense of the civilian population in Gaza,” said Col. Faris Atila, head of Israel’s Gaza Coordination and Liaison Office. “We will continue to frustrate and thwart the abuse of our civilian policy for terrorist goals and the needs of the Hamas terrorist organization.”

Israeli security forces impounded the truck that had attempted to smuggle the gloves into the coastal enclave and transferred its cargo to a special anti-smuggling team.

“Attempts to smuggle military equipment into Gaza are part of the daily struggle, conducted largely out of the public view, waged by the very best inspectors,” said the Kerem Shalom crossing’s director, Ami Shaked. “We are continuing our anti-smuggling efforts around the clock in order to ensure that only approved and coordinated goods — that do not aid terrorist elements — enter Gaza.”