Subscribe to Print Edition | Tue., January 15, 2008 Shvat 8, 5768 | | Israel Time: 11:22 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Last update - 02:17 14/01/2008 Diskin to MKs: Hamas managed to smuggle $100 million into Gaza By Amos Harel, Avi Issacharoff and Barak Ravid, Haaretz Correspondents Tags: Gaza, Yuval Diskin, Hamas  Hamas managed to smuggle $100 million into the Gaza Strip in recent weeks, according to Shin Bet security service chief Yuval Diskin, speaking during a briefing to the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Sunday. Meanwhile, Israel is considering the proposal of Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, to transfer control of the crossings into the Gaza Strip to forces loyal to the PA and Fatah. During his weekly briefing before the Knesset committee, Diskin said that the funds were smuggled into the Strip by hundreds of pilgrims returning from the hajj in Mecca. Advertisement Egypt allowed many of the pilgrims to enter the Gaza Strip via its territory, contrary to an earlier agreement with Israel, which insisted that they must cross into the Strip through Israeli-controlled checkpoints. Israel was concerned about the possibility of money and arms being secreted into the Hamas-controlled enclave. Diskin said that the Shin Bet estimates that senior members of Hamas who returned from the hajj brought in about $100 million. "The money that was smuggled is not being distributed to the residents, but is being used by Hamas people only," the Shin Bet chief added. The MKs asked Diskin whether there was any change in the behavior of the Egyptian security along the Philadelphi Route, which separates the Strip from Sinai. He responded that the smuggling of weapons through the tunnels running under the route continues and that there is no improvement in the performance of the Egyptians in preventing the smuggling activity. "Routine," he said. But Diskin also said that the image of Hamas has taken a blow among the people of the Gaza Strip. "Not all the residents of the Strip feel that this is their salvation. The general atmosphere suggests that the military and economic pressure, in parallel with the continuation of the political process, is the right way forward: It weakens the radicals and bolsters the moderates," Diskin said. In an effort to further strengthen the hold of the moderates on Palestinian society, Israel and the Bush administration are evaluating a proposal by the PA's Fayyad, for the deployment of forces loyal to Fatah and PA President Mahmoud Abbas, at the crossings with between Israel and the Gaza Strip. Fayyad is keen on beginning to return PA control to the Gaza Strip, and deployment of security forces at the crossings would be a first step toward that goal. The idea also appears to be welcomed by the Hamas government in the Strip, even though it may be that the two rival Palestinian factions have different motives for backing this possibility. However, Israeli security sources told Haaretz Sunday that the idea had some problematic aspects to it. They said, for example, that it will be difficult for Israel to cooperate with PA security forces knowning that several hundred meters behind them stood armed Hamas militants. In the past, the crossings had been targeted by Hamas, and there is constant information of plans to attack those points on the border. At the same time, there are indirect discussions being held on resolving the problem of some 2,000 Palestinians who are stranded on the Sinai (Egyptian) side of Rafah, who are waiting to be allowed back to the Strip. Israel would like the Palestinians to enter the Strip through the Erez crossing, which would enable it to more effectively control smuggling into the area. The PA supports such a development, since it will not alleviate the economic and political siege Hamas is under in the Strip. Related articles: Palestinians: IDF kills Gazan woman, hurts 4 others en route from hajj Palestinian pilgrims in Egypt threaten hunger strike over Gaza return Hamas thanks Egypt for ensuring return of Palestinian pilgrims Bookmark to del.icio.us   Diskin's faulty math The Shin Bet's estimate of civilian casualties was revealed to be too low. Wooing minorities The color of Barack Obama's skin has returned as an issue to the campaign.   1.   Dirty work 05:59  |  real vision 14/01/08   2.   Millions to Gasa 10:03  |  Mr. Smith 14/01/08   3.   How does this lying bozo know it`s $100 million? 10:33  |  Clickfool 14/01/08   4.   Israeli blockade is foiled 11:07  |  Natallie Durson 14/01/08   5.   Israel blockade is foiled so stop WHINING 11:32  |  Iz Ray Leigh 14/01/08   6.   Clikfool 10:53  |  Mr. Smith 15/01/08   7.   Natallie 11:16  |  Mr. Smith 15/01/08

Today Online Israel begins building 60 new homes in East Jerusalem Responses: 49 Israel offers Jewish Anglo doctors $60,000 to immigrate Responses: 38 Ex-U.S. envoy: Slim chance for Mideast peace by end of year Responses: 26 Historian threatens to expose post-Shoah pogroms in Poland Responses: 15 PM to aides: Progress in peace talks worth risk to coalition Responses: 6 Yoel Marcus: Bush may be a lame duck, but he's determined Responses: 4 Rosner's Domain Obama "will be the friend we want in the White House" Defending and rejecting the NIE on Iran (WTR) Poll: Does Bush still placing the promotion of democracy at the top of his agenda? Iranian's threaten, the candidates threaten back Did Bush endorse Israel's attack in Syria? (WTR) More Headlines 11:20 IDF raid kills 9 Palestinians; Gaza sniper kills farm volunteer 10:17 PM to aides: Progress in peace talks worth risk to coalition 11:08 Israel begins constructing 60 new homes in East Jerusalem 09:07 Israel offers Anglo doctors $60,000 in immigration incentive 10:59 Historian threatens to reveal Polish atrocities against Jews if tried for slander 09:03 Ex-U.S. envoy: Slim chance for Mideast peace by end of year 09:36 Settler group refuses to vacate land slated for school for the disabled 09:05 Archaeological discoveries may prove barrier to Jaffa port rejuvenation 11:09 Homeless woman dies of exposure to cold on bench in Bat Yam 09:15 University heads: Deal with lecturers in 2 days or semester canceled Previous Editions Select Day 14 jan 13 jan 11 jan 10 jan 09 jan 08 jan 07 jan 06 jan 04 jan 03 jan 02 jan 01 jan

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