Israel seizes 4 tons of rocket chemicals in shipment of salt bound for Gaza

Special to WorldTribune.com

Four tons of a chemical used in the manufacture of long-range rockets was seized by Israeli authorities in a shipment of salt that was bound for the Gaza Strip.

Tons of chemicals seized by Israeli security services. /Nitzana Customs photo
Tons of chemicals seized by Israeli security services. /Nitzana customs photo

Customs and Shin Bet officials at the Nitzana Border Crossing used by Egypt, Israel and the Palestinian Authority seized the four tons of ammonium chloride concealed within a 40-ton shipment of salt, Israeli security officials announced on May 3.

Ammonium chloride can be used in the production of long-range rockets and the quantity of material seized had the potential to yield hundreds of such weapons, according to Shin Bet (Israel’s security agency).

Shin Bet said it has been operating on heightened alert in light of large amounts of salts being transferred to Gaza as such shipments can be used as a smuggling channel.

Security officials believe the attempted importer of the smuggled chemicals is a Gaza resident associated with Hamas.

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