Israel Matzav

Hamas arrests rocket shooters and sunflower seed merchant

Hamas has arrested a Gaza City sunflower seed merchant and members of a well-known Gaza clan who fired rockets and mortars at the Nahal Oz fuel depot a few days ago in violation of the 'truce.' It seems that the merchant had solicited the clan members to fire the 'projectiles' at the fuel depot in the hope that it would result in Israel keeping the border crossings to the Gaza Strip closed. And why would he want the crossings closed? Business, of course. The merchant had a large stock of Egyptian sunflower seeds which would become unmarketable if the border reopened and far better quality Israeli sunflower seeds came into the Strip.

None of the armed groups in Gaza assumed responsibility for the attack on Nahal Oz, and a hurried investigation into the incident by Hamas security forces led them to the calculating merchant. He confessed to the charges and explained he feared he would "get stuck" with a massive stockpile of goods he would not be able to sell due to the clear preference Gaza's residence have shown for the Israeli product.

He told the investigators that he had paid relatives, young men from a well-known Gaza clan, to stage the shelling.

The merchant, and the youths who carried out the mortar attacks, are still in Hamas' custody. In Gaza the speedy result is touted as a testament to Hamas' determination to maintain the ceasefire.

Now if only they would do as good a job at reining in the real terrorists.

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 7:36 PM