This blog previously cited one of numerous reports that
Hamas is stealing aid supplies and selling them back to Gazans at a profit. But among the humanitarian aid supplies being pilfered by Hamas is cement which is being used in building tunnels, bunkers and other military fortifications.
Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu of Israel National News reports:
Hamas... in Gaza is exploiting Israel's allowing shipments of cement to build underground tunnels, ammunition bunkers and command centers.
The government allowed cement to cross into Gaza after Hamas reduced the number of rocket attacks on Israel.
Gaza residents complain about the small quantities of cement, but one of the reasons is that Hamas controls the distribution of humanitarian shipments and diverts much of them for their own use. It also controls the destination of goods transported through smuggling tunnels.
Arab and Western media published dozens of articles earlier this year, blaming the Israeli "siege" on Gaza for causing shortages of cement, and preventing new construction and even the erection of new gravestones.
Since the beginning of Israel’s military operation in Gaza, 22,046 tons of humanitarian aid, delivered by 926 trucks, have been shipped into Gaza.
For context on this report, check out this September, 2008 report on
Hamas' confiscation of humanitarian shipments of cement:
Israeli intelligence officials revealed on Sunday that they have learned Hamas and allied terrorists in the Gaza Strip are using shipments of cement and other construction materials to build bunkers in preparation for war with Israel.
The bunkers are being built with thick walls to withstand aerial bombardment with miles of tunnels connecting the numerous posts and underground command centers. The positions are being constructed along the lines of the Hezbollah bunker network that so frustrated Israeli forces during the 2006 Second Lebanon War.
Israeli officials said that they may have to freeze the delivery of cement to Gaza, though it is needed for legitimate construction and repair work.
Earlier this summer, the Palestinians of Gaza complained that they were not receiving enough cement, so Israel allowed more to enter the area in the daily shipment convoys.
Palestinian sources have complained that every time Hamas manages to get Israel to delivery more supplies - such as fuel, cement and medical supplies - the ruling terror group steals them for its own use or to enrich itself as a reseller.
