Israel struggles to stop weapons smuggling at sea

[oberliner]

HAIFA, Israel (AP) — Israel's navy is casting its net wider and deeper in an effort to stop Gaza militants from receiving weapons by sea, a difficult mission made harder, Israel says, by political turmoil in Egypt and the Egyptian decision to fully reopen its border crossing with Gaza.

In recent weeks, Palestinian militants in Hamas-ruled Gaza have aimed rockets at Israeli cities, far enough away that Israel is convinced the projectiles came from abroad, probably Iran.

The first leg of a journey for weapons ending up in Gaza is a sea journey, ending with a trek across Egypt's barren Sinai desert, and then through a network of smuggling tunnels under the 9-mile (15-kilometer) Gaza-Egypt border.

The Israeli navy is trying to stop the shipments at their first stage — on the high seas.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jmXSoF9Lc_dw4M5VIrSWSVh8KQvw?docId=cec42034f3ef477b8a0696693cbb8d7d

[azurnoir]

1. well that explains this "Medics: 3 hurt after navy shells fishing boat"

Israel's navy fired on fishing boats late Thursday, injuring three Palestinians, medics said.

The fishermen were transferred to Ash-Shifa hospital for treatment of moderate injuries, medical official Adham Abu Silmiya said.

<snip>

On Thursday, fishermen appealed to the UN and human rights organizations to end the naval siege and pressure Israel to increase the area of fishing as well as "bring Israel into account for its crimes."

Mohammad Al-Hisi, one of the fishermen, told Ma'an that "the occupation's forces destroyed my small boat, which I depend on for my livelihood. And no one cares. I just want my livelihood."

http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=391460

rocket attacks in recent weeks-

List of Palestinian rocket attacks on Israel, 2011

This page was last modified on 22 April 2011 at 09:57.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Palestinian_rocket_attacks_on_Israel,_2011

[tootrueleft]

2. Hopefully the timing of this story has noting to do with the new flotilla sailing soon.

[shira]

3. There's no need for a flotilla with Egypt permanently opening its borders. n/t

[tootrueleft]

4. So, you admit there was a need for the last one in that case.

[shira]

7. Nope. No need for that one either...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=124x327519

Not to mention the flotilla organizers clearly admitted it wasn't a humanitarian mission but rather a political one.

[tootrueleft]

8. You do realise you're contradicting yourself, don't you?

[shira]

9. I should have written "there's no need for a flotilla now that Egypt's open...

....not that there was a need last year either when Egypt was sealed off from Gaza."

[tootrueleft]

12. LOL! Don't worry, we believe ya...

[azurnoir]

5. yes there is a need for the flotilla due to fishing and future shipping rights n/t

[oberliner]

6. So the flotilla is not about delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza?

Clearly then, that is not the goal at this point certainly.

Was it at any point?

[azurnoir]

10. why would the goal of the flotilla not be to deliver aid what do you think they're delivering?

something else perhaps?

[oberliner]

13. You wrote about that it had something to do with fishing and shipping rights

If it's about delivering aid - aid can be transported to Gaza by means other than a "flotilla".

[azurnoir]

14. You dodged my question? What do you think the flotilla is carrying? this is after all your op

I said fishing rights and shipping however I never said that was the entirety of need, that is your interpretation, there still is a need for humanitarian aid IMO

[oberliner]

15. I direct you to the UN Secretary General's comments on the subjects

He says it better than I can:

"Assistance and goods destined to Gaza should be channelled through legitimate crossings and established channels."

I can provide you with a list of non-flotilla methods of getting humanitarian aid to Gaza if you are unable to find any.

[azurnoir]

16. read that yesterday, I asked for your opimion n/t

[oberliner]

17. I think the flotilla is not about humanitarian aid

I believe the leaders of the FGM have made that clear in their statements.

It is a political act of protest rather than an attempt to get aid to people in Gaza.

As I have noted, there are much more effective and efficient ways to get aid to the people in Gaza if that is what one wishes to do.

[shira]

18. Here's what the FGM has said about "humanitarian aid"...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=124&topic_id=334635&mesg_id=334751

[azurnoir]

11. Report: Egypt working with Israel on Rafah policy

Egypt has explained to Israel that the Rafah crossing will not be used to transfer goods, and restrictions will be imposed on the movement of individuals, Israel radio reported Thursday.

According to political sources quoted in the report, Egyptian authorities are aware of the risk that "terrorist elements" could pass through Rafah, the sole non-Israeli entrance point, and Cairo will act accordingly.

Egypt said Wednesday it would open the crossing on a daily basis in a bid to ease the blockade.

http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=391429

[jimmie]

19. Well , i'm sold.

thats as ironclad as Neville Chamberlain's agreement.

[Never Stop Dancin]

20. What on earth do they want now?

When it withdrew from the Gaza, Israel left them cash, greenhouses, and a set of instructions on how to grow their economy.

It's been five years now--if they'd had their noses ot the grindstone, their economy should be as vibrant as Singapore's by now.

But instead they decided to throw away everything Israel gave them, and aim rockets and go to the UN with trumped up complaints.

Is it any wonder that Israel that Israel throws up her hands in disgust?

[King_David]

21. 'What on earth do they want now?'

Well the government of Gaza,aka Hamas,wants Tel Aviv,Haifa,Jerusalem,Eilat,Beer-Sheba and lots of other places and also they do not want any Jews around either.As well as a few rockets ,Grad Missiles and suicide vests.