By Michael Bachner/TPS
Gaza Border (TPS) – A Gazan fisherman involved in weapons smuggling into Gaza was arrested in April and has revealed detailed information on Hamas’ attempts to utilize fishermen for military purposes, the Shin Bet announced on Monday.
Salim Gamal Hasan Na’aman, 39 years old from the Shati Refugee Camp in the Gaza Strip, worked as a fisherman and was arrested by IDF naval forces after exiting the permitted fishing area.
In his interrogation, Na’aman revealed that he has long been involved in the smuggling of weapons and arms meant for Hamas and other terror organizations in Gaza. His sea-smuggling operation moved ammunition into Gaza, including liquid fiberglass used to produce rockets, the Shin Bet said.
Na’aman also revealed details of Hamas operational maritime plans “to utilize fishermen to conceal its activities,” the Shin Bet said. Additional information revealed by Na’aman pertained to maritime routes used to smuggle goods from Egypt into Gaza, and to the use made of fishermen and smugglers along the routes.
“The information discovered in this investigation, as well as in the investigations of additional Hamas terror operatives recently arrested, reveals another small part of the many efforts by Hamas to advance its violent terror actions,” said a statement by the Shin Bet. “This time, the Hamas efforts exploit the fact that Israel has eased the restrictions on the Gaza fishermen.”