Shin Bet: 3,000 rifles smuggled into Gaza

Dramatic increase of weapons' smuggling from Egypt into Gaza Strip has been
noted since Israel's pullout from the area, Shin Bet chief tells Knesset
committee; Shin Bet failed to prevent damage to Palestinian olive trees, he
adds
Ilan Marciano YNET 10 January 2006
www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3198300,00.html

The amount of weapons smuggled from Egypt into the Gaza Strip has increased
dramatically since Israel's withdrawal from the region, Shin Bet Chief Yuval
Diskin told members of the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee
Tuesday.

"The smuggling of weapons and explosives from Egypt to the Gaza Strip has
increased in comparison to the period preceding the disengagement," he said.

"If before the disengagement 200-300 rifles were smuggled a month, today we
are talking about 3,000," he added.

According to the Shin Bet chief, terror groups have used the lull to
increase their power, including military and Qassam range improvements.

"If the Palestinians are to receive technology assistance outside of Gaza,
it would only take a number of months for the terror groups to succeed in
significantly improving their rocket range," he said, adding that at present
Qassams launched in the PA are able to reach 10-40 kilometers (6-25 miles).

"The Palestinians are preparing terror attacks, also from Judea and Samaria.
There are efforts to establish independent systems to manufacture weapons,
including Qassams," he said.

A significant increase in terror attacks and attempted bombings against
Israel has been noted since the pullout, he explained. In October 48 were
registered, in comparison to 277 in December.

'Allowing terror groups arms - a time bomb'

Diskin also referred to the upcoming Palestinian Authority elections in two
weeks, saying that at present Chairman Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah party has a 10
percent lead, while Hamas is expected to greatly succeed in municipal
elections.

Hamas will continue with terror activities after elections in a more
sophisticated manner, he said, adding that the Shin Bet believes Hamas
should not be allowed to participate in democratic elections.

"Israel must be firm about the disarmament of terror groups and Hamas. If
this does not occur, the Shin Bet recommends discontinuing dialogue or not
holding contact with the Palestinian Authority," he said. "Allowing them
weaponry would be a walking time bomb."

'Shin Bet failed in preventing damage to olive trees'

Diskin also discussed the recent uprooting of Palestinian olive trees in the
West Bank, referring to it as a phenomenon that reoccurs on an annual basis
with no effective enforcement.

He added that the Shin bet is aware of who is behind the act and has
transferred this information to law enforcement, which has done nothing
about it.

"The problem is that there is no effective law enforcement, especially
regarding settler youth in the Yitzhar and Itamar area. The defense minister
and internal security minister should provide an answer to this problem," he
said.

"The Shin Bet has failed in handling the problem. We wanted to take
administrative means and failed - the Shin Bet did not conduct it in the
best manner," he added.

During the meeting, MK Ran Cohen demanded the Shin Bet "carry out ambushes
and fire at offenders in the leg." However, his comments aroused anger among
right-wing Knesset members present who demanded he recant his words - which
he refused.

According to Cohen, the Shin Bet chief hinted that there are those within
the government who have rolled their eyes and have done nothing to put an
end to the phenomenon.

"The Shin Bet received warnings regarding the olive trees, which they
transferred to the army that did nothing to stop it," he concluded.

(01.10.06, 19:42)