Israel seizes Hamas-bound wet suits

Israel thwarts an attempt to smuggle wet suits into the Gaza Strip, apparently for Hamas’s naval commando unit, the Defense Ministry says.

The ministry’s Crossing Authority, working with the Shin Bet security service, finds some 30 professional-grade wet suits on their way into the coastal enclave hidden in a shipment of sporting wear.

Hamas naval commandos, seen in a still image from a propaganda video released by the terror group during Israel's Operation Protective Edge, in the summer of 2014. (Screen capture) — Hamas naval commandos, seen in a still image from a propaganda video released by the terror group during Israel’s Operation Protective Edge, in the summer of 2014. (Screen capture)

The wet suits came from abroad to an importer in the Palestinian Authority, who forwarded them along to Gaza, “without the required coordination,” the ministry says in a statement.

“The shipment was confiscated, and an investigation was opened into locating those involved in the smuggling,” the Defense Ministry says.

— Judah Ari Gross