(Ha'aretz) Ze'ev Schiff - Palestinian security organizations in Gaza have redoubled efforts to get weapons and ammunition before the IDF withdraws. Defense sources say that arms smuggling efforts into Gaza, primarily via the Sinai Peninsula and under the Philadelphia route, are at an all-time high. Egypt appears to be making a serious effort to prevent the Palestinians from smuggling strategic weapons, such as Katyushas with a range of 20 kilometers or portable missiles capable of shooting down Israeli helicopters. If the Palestinians were to obtain such weapons, the entire situation could deteriorate quickly, forcing Israel to use massive force.
2004-09-20 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive