How Hamas uses tunnel

[cosmos]

Is WaPo unbiased?

m.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2014/07/21/how-hamas-uses-its-tunnels-to-kill-and-capture-israeli-soldiers/

On phone

[IIOY]

Without having read this article yet, who is the arbiter of what constitutes an "unbiased" source on this topic? I feel as though this entire discussion has moved into truthiness territory: if you don't like what is said, just claim the writer is biased.

ETA: now having read the article, I'm sort of giggling that the WSJ had almost the same article today. In any event, I marvel at the sophistication of the tunnels and wonder how many resources are being sapped from the citizens to create these. Also, and unrelated to this particular conflict, this jumped out at me:

"But Hamas’s tunnels materialized in a different context. One reason they were built, Eldar wrote in a separate article, was to keep soldiers occupied during a period of relative peace. “What do you do with thousands of motivated, armed men with the urge to fight?” he said. “You come up with some operational occupation. Digging an underground tunnel.”

This really is a problem with society filled with restless young men, and it's going to play out in other parts of the world.

[cosmos]

Jul 22, 2014 7:45:49 GMT -5 IIOY said:

Without having read this article yet, who is the arbiter of what constitutes an "unbiased" source on this topic? I feel as though this entire discussion has moved into truthiness territory: if you don't like what is said, just claim the writer is biased.

I guess anything from Israel (Jpost, haaretz) would be biased- although those are (were?) both left leaning papers.

I'd hope WaPo, NYtimes would be considered fairly unbiased. Or at least balanced in that they print articles from perspectives of both sides.

[cosmos]

Jul 22, 2014 7:45:49 GMT -5 IIOY said:

Without having read this article yet, who is the arbiter of what constitutes an "unbiased" source on this topic? I feel as though this entire discussion has moved into truthiness territory: if you don't like what is said, just claim the writer is biased.

ETA: now having read the article, I'm sort of giggling that the WSJ had almost the same article today. In any event, I marvel at the sophistication of the tunnels and wonder how many resources are being sapped from the citizens to create these. Also, and unrelated to this particular conflict, this jumped out at me:

"But Hamas’s tunnels materialized in a different context. One reason they were built, Eldar wrote in a separate article, was to keep soldiers occupied during a period of relative peace. “What do you do with thousands of motivated, armed men with the urge to fight?” he said. “You come up with some operational occupation. Digging an underground tunnel.”

This really is a problem with society filled with restless young men, and it's going to play out in other parts of the world.

Seems to me that man power would have been better served building infrastructure and developing their economy once Israel withdrew in 2005.

[Deleted]

Is the Washington Post actually considered unbiased? The NYT sure as hell isn't.

[cosmos]

Jul 22, 2014 8:06:58 GMT -5 v said:

Is the Washington Post actually considered unbiased? The NYT sure as hell isn't.

For Israeli politics? Not American, that I agree.

[tres3]

Jul 22, 2014 7:45:49 GMT -5 IIOY said:

Without having read this article yet, who is the arbiter of what constitutes an "unbiased" source on this topic? I feel as though this entire discussion has moved into truthiness territory: if you don't like what is said, just claim the writer is biased.

ETA: now having read the article, I'm sort of giggling that the WSJ had almost the same article today. In any event, I marvel at the sophistication of the tunnels and wonder how many resources are being sapped from the citizens to create these. Also, and unrelated to this particular conflict, this jumped out at me:

"But Hamas’s tunnels materialized in a different context. One reason they were built, Eldar wrote in a separate article, was to keep soldiers occupied during a period of relative peace. “What do you do with thousands of motivated, armed men with the urge to fight?” he said. “You come up with some operational occupation. Digging an underground tunnel.”

This really is a problem with society filled with restless young men, and it's going to play out in other parts of the world.

Is this part of the problem in Egypt? Military was a good place to put restless men so they didn't act out

[MrsAxilla]

Jul 22, 2014 7:45:49 GMT -5 IIOY said:

Without having read this article yet, who is the arbiter of what constitutes an "unbiased" source on this topic? I feel as though this entire discussion has moved into truthiness territory: if you don't like what is said, just claim the writer is biased.

ETA: now having read the article, I'm sort of giggling that the WSJ had almost the same article today. In any event, I marvel at the sophistication of the tunnels and wonder how many resources are being sapped from the citizens to create these. Also, and unrelated to this particular conflict, this jumped out at me:

"But Hamas’s tunnels materialized in a different context. One reason they were built, Eldar wrote in a separate article, was to keep soldiers occupied during a period of relative peace. “What do you do with thousands of motivated, armed men with the urge to fight?” he said. “You come up with some operational occupation. Digging an underground tunnel.”

This really is a problem with society filled with restless young men, and it's going to play out in other parts of the world.

That's such bullshit.  Restless young men can build roads, bridges and schools just as easily as tunnels. 

[cosmos]

Jul 22, 2014 8:26:59 GMT -5 asdfjkl said:

Jul 22, 2014 8:20:07 GMT -5 MrsAxilla said:

That's such bullshit. Restless young men can build roads, bridges and schools just as easily as tunnels.

What do these tunnels look like? Roads, bridges, and schools all require some sophisticated architecture, engineering, and a shitton if supplies and machinery. The tunnels I'm imagining require a shovel.

Did you read the article?

[IIOY]

Jul 22, 2014 8:20:07 GMT -5 MrsAxilla said:

Jul 22, 2014 7:45:49 GMT -5 IIOY said:

Without having read this article yet, who is the arbiter of what constitutes an "unbiased" source on this topic? I feel as though this entire discussion has moved into truthiness territory: if you don't like what is said, just claim the writer is biased.

ETA: now having read the article, I'm sort of giggling that the WSJ had almost the same article today. In any event, I marvel at the sophistication of the tunnels and wonder how many resources are being sapped from the citizens to create these. Also, and unrelated to this particular conflict, this jumped out at me:

"But Hamas’s tunnels materialized in a different context. One reason they were built, Eldar wrote in a separate article, was to keep soldiers occupied during a period of relative peace. “What do you do with thousands of motivated, armed men with the urge to fight?” he said. “You come up with some operational occupation. Digging an underground tunnel.”

This really is a problem with society filled with restless young men, and it's going to play out in other parts of the world.

That's such bullshit.  Restless young men can build roads, bridges and schools just as easily as tunnels. 

Restless young men being combative and socially destructive is not bullshit at all. It's a very real problem and it's not limited to this conflict by any stretch.

[ringstrue]

Yeah why aren't they just building more stuff for Israel to destroy?

I'd say that tunnels are a pretty good piece of infrastructure for a people whose surface dwelling is a pretty dangerous reality.

[MrsAxilla]

Jul 22, 2014 8:37:01 GMT -5 IIOY said:

Jul 22, 2014 8:20:07 GMT -5 MrsAxilla said:

That's such bullshit.  Restless young men can build roads, bridges and schools just as easily as tunnels. 

Restless young men being combative and socially destructive is not bullshit at all. It's a very real problem and it's not limited to this conflict by any stretch.

Of course not.  It's bullshit to imply that the best or only way to deal with that is to build tunnels to smuggle weapons and fighters instead of infrastructure.  Unless the government's only interest is in weapons and fighters, which in this case, it is.

[MrsAxilla]

Jul 22, 2014 7:45:49 GMT -5 IIOY said:

Without having read this article yet, who is the arbiter of what constitutes an "unbiased" source on this topic? I feel as though this entire discussion has moved into truthiness territory: if you don't like what is said, just claim the writer is biased.

ETA: now having read the article, I'm sort of giggling that the WSJ had almost the same article today. In any event, I marvel at the sophistication of the tunnels and wonder how many resources are being sapped from the citizens to create these. Also, and unrelated to this particular conflict, this jumped out at me:

"But Hamas’s tunnels materialized in a different context. One reason they were built, Eldar wrote in a separate article, was to keep soldiers occupied during a period of relative peace. “What do you do with thousands of motivated, armed men with the urge to fight?” he said. “You come up with some operational occupation. Digging an underground tunnel.”

This really is a problem with society filled with restless young men, and it's going to play out in other parts of the world.

Netanyahu said on CNN yesterday that Israel supplied millions of dollars and tons of concrete and supplies for infrastructure, and it apparently all went to these tunnels.

[Deleted]

Jul 22, 2014 8:37:01 GMT -5 IIOY said:

Jul 22, 2014 8:20:07 GMT -5 MrsAxilla said:

That's such bullshit.  Restless young men can build roads, bridges and schools just as easily as tunnels. 

Restless young men being combative and socially destructive is not bullshit at all. It's a very real problem and it's not limited to this conflict by any stretch.

I heard a statistic a few years ago that has always stuck with me though I've never fact checked it so maybe it's a lie. But anyway, apparently, the vast majority of uprisings and revolutions happen when there is a somewhat unusually high number of unemployed or under employed 18-35 year olds in the population. The Great Leap Forward, the Iranian revolution, even the American revolution apparently.

So I do agree that restless young men are a problem. But I think MrsAxilla's point is that you can find some other way to channel this restlessness than building a tunnel. From what I understand, it's not in these groups' best interest to invest in infrastructure or economy as the continued look and feel of a refugee camp in their minds helps support their claims as a displaced people. 

[Deleted]

Jul 22, 2014 8:44:31 GMT -5 asdfjkl said:

Okay, I've read the first page of the article that includes a vague description if the tunnels. You really can't tell much about the tunnels from what's said there. But I'm not picturing an underground pedestrian walk way a la Chicago or New York. I'm picturing a crude tunnel, dig by hand, lined with concrete with those construction cage lights hanging over head. Is there a picture somewhere in that article? I'm not saying that the money spent in these tunnels couldn't have been used for a peaceful purpose, but I do think it's off the mark to think the "technology" involved in this tunnel construction would translate to bridge-making.

I don't think that area really needs fancy bridges though. Dry pathways over narrow streams doesn't really take a lot of technology.

[Deleted]

Jul 22, 2014 9:15:25 GMT -5 MrsAxilla said:

Netanyahu said on CNN yesterday that Israel supplied millions of dollars and tons of concrete and supplies for infrastructure, and it apparently all went to these tunnels.

Yeah, I don't know if I believe all that but I do believe that Hamas and other groups suck resources from the Palestinian people to do whatever the hell they want, including tunnel building and suicide bomb funding instead of actually helping their own people.

[IIOY]

Jul 22, 2014 9:24:07 GMT -5 @helenabonhamcarter said:

Jul 22, 2014 8:37:01 GMT -5 IIOY said:

Restless young men being combative and socially destructive is not bullshit at all. It's a very real problem and it's not limited to this conflict by any stretch.

I heard a statistic a few years ago that has always stuck with me though I've never fact checked it so maybe it's a lie. But anyway, apparently, the vast majority of uprisings and revolutions happen when there is a somewhat unusually high number of unemployed or under employed 18-35 year olds in the population. The Great Leap Forward, the Iranian revolution, even the American revolution apparently.

So I do agree that restless young men are a problem. But I think MrsAxilla's point is that you can find some other way to channel this restlessness than building a tunnel. From what I understand, it's not in these groups' best interest to invest in infrastructure or economy as the continued look and feel of a refugee camp in their minds helps support their claims as a displaced people. 

I don't disagree that it would be ideal to find another way to channel that energy. However, she bolded my comment about restless young men being a problem, and one that will play out in other parts of the world, and called it bullshit; it was that to which I was responding.

Edited because I can't grammar while on the elliptical.

[MrsAxilla]

Jul 22, 2014 9:25:54 GMT -5 @helenabonhamcarter said:

Jul 22, 2014 8:44:31 GMT -5 asdfjkl said:

Okay, I've read the first page of the article that includes a vague description if the tunnels. You really can't tell much about the tunnels from what's said there. But I'm not picturing an underground pedestrian walk way a la Chicago or New York. I'm picturing a crude tunnel, dig by hand, lined with concrete with those construction cage lights hanging over head. Is there a picture somewhere in that article? I'm not saying that the money spent in these tunnels couldn't have been used for a peaceful purpose, but I do think it's off the mark to think the "technology" involved in this tunnel construction would translate to bridge-making.

I don't think that area really needs fancy bridges though. Dry pathways over narrow streams doesn't really take a lot of technology.

I don't even know if bridges are necessary.  That was an example.  But there are roads,  skyscrapers and other sophisticated buildings in Gaza, so it not like crude tunnels are the best they can manage.

[MrsAxilla]

Jul 22, 2014 9:30:04 GMT -5 IIOY said:

Jul 22, 2014 9:24:07 GMT -5 @helenabonhamcarter said:

I heard a statistic a few years ago that has always stuck with me though I've never fact checked it so maybe it's a lie. But anyway, apparently, the vast majority of uprisings and revolutions happen when there is a somewhat unusually high number of unemployed or under employed 18-35 year olds in the population. The Great Leap Forward, the Iranian revolution, even the American revolution apparently.

So I do agree that restless young men are a problem. But I think MrsAxilla's point is that you can find some other way to channel this restlessness than building a tunnel. From what I understand, it's not in these groups' best interest to invest in infrastructure or economy as the continued look and feel of a refugee camp in their minds helps support their claims as a displaced people. 

I don't disagree that it would be ideal to find another way to channel that energy. However, she bolded my comment about restless young men being a problem, and one that will play out in other parts of the world, and called it bullshit; it was to that that I was responding.

As I clarified, it's the way that energy was channelled that's bullshit.  

[ttt]

Here are some photos of the tunnels.


(http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/7651685/Hamas-accuses-Egypt-of-poisoning-Palestinians-in-smuggling-tunnel.html)


(http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/middle-east/israel-and-palestine/121114/gaza-hamas-corruption-economy-egypt-smuggling-tunnels)


(http://ivarfjeld.com/2009/07/29/hamas-digging-arms-tunnels-under-un-sites-in-gaza/)


 
The KFC takeout in this photo is killing me: 


KFC aside, I do not think these can be in any way described as sophisticated. They are certainly not on the level of bridges and highways. They're also considerably less sophisticated than the tunnels that the cartels use on the Mexican-US border: content.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1895418,00.html 

One of the biggest problems that the Palestinians have in building infrastructure is that it's nearly impossible to get construction materials. Israel does not allow the import of most materials for "security reasons." In fact, many of these tunnels are used for smuggling in construction materials so people can actually build and repair their homes. 

[Deleted]

Jul 22, 2014 9:34:09 GMT -5 MrsAxilla said:

Jul 22, 2014 9:25:54 GMT -5 @helenabonhamcarter said:

I don't think that area really needs fancy bridges though. Dry pathways over narrow streams doesn't really take a lot of technology.

I don't even know if bridges are necessary.  That was an example.  But there are roads,  skyscrapers and other sophisticated buildings in Gaza, so it not like crude tunnels are the best they can manage.

I've heard schools and houses are the most pressing needs. At the same time though, I kind of understand it because that's the kind of help the countries that use the Palestinian plight as a rallying cry are willing to provide.  

[Deleted]

Jul 22, 2014 9:37:42 GMT -5 ttt said:

Here are some photos of the tunnels.


One of the biggest problems that the Palestinians have in building infrastructure is that it's nearly impossible to get construction materials. Israel does not allow the import of most materials for "security reasons." In fact, many of these tunnels are used for smuggling in construction materials so people can actually build and repair their homes. 

And I think that's the crux of why we are never getting anywhere in this conflict. Neither side is willing to give a little and work for the people. Israel is terrified that if they give an inch, the Palestinian leadership will use that length to carry out more attacks. And the Palestinian leadership doesn't trust Israel enough to not channel supplies and such for attacks. Each sine is constantly preparing for the next incursion.

[MrsAxilla]

Jul 22, 2014 9:37:42 GMT -5 ttt said:

One of the biggest problems that the Palestinians have in building infrastructure is that it's nearly impossible to get construction materials. Israel does not allow the import of most materials for "security reasons." In fact, many of these tunnels are used for smuggling in construction materials so people can actually build and repair their homes. 

From Netanyahu's interview with Wold Blitzer two days ago:

So this has to stop. And I think many people in Gaza understand that Hamas is destroying Gaza, destroying their lives. They have taken tons - not tons - tens of thousands of tons of concrete that we enable them to bring into Gaza to build skyscrapers, to build schools, to build hospitals.

You know what they did with that, Wolf? They put 700 tons of concrete into each one of these terror attack tunnels to penetrate Israel. Now, we have discovered dozens of them. So you're talking about tens of thousands of tons of concrete, instead of going for the benefit of the school, the population, is going for terrorism against Israel.

[ttt]

Jul 22, 2014 9:44:10 GMT -5 MrsAxilla said:

Jul 22, 2014 9:37:42 GMT -5 ttt said:

One of the biggest problems that the Palestinians have in building infrastructure is that it's nearly impossible to get construction materials. Israel does not allow the import of most materials for "security reasons." In fact, many of these tunnels are used for smuggling in construction materials so people can actually build and repair their homes. 

From Netanyahu's interview with Wold Blitzer two days ago:

So this has to stop. And I think many people in Gaza understand that Hamas is destroying Gaza, destroying their lives. They have taken tons - not tons - tens of thousands of tons of concrete that we enable them to bring into Gaza to build skyscrapers, to build schools, to build hospitals.

You know what they did with that, Wolf? They put 700 tons of concrete into each one of these terror attack tunnels to penetrate Israel. Now, we have discovered dozens of them. So you're talking about tens of thousands of tons of concrete, instead of going for the benefit of the school, the population, is going for terrorism against Israel.

Well I can't imagine that Netanyahu would have any reason to exaggerate or misrepresent these figures at all...

[Deleted]

Jul 22, 2014 9:44:10 GMT -5 MrsAxilla said:

Jul 22, 2014 9:37:42 GMT -5 ttt said:

One of the biggest problems that the Palestinians have in building infrastructure is that it's nearly impossible to get construction materials. Israel does not allow the import of most materials for "security reasons." In fact, many of these tunnels are used for smuggling in construction materials so people can actually build and repair their homes. 

From Netanyahu's interview with Wold Blitzer two days ago:

So this has to stop. And I think many people in Gaza understand that Hamas is destroying Gaza, destroying their lives. They have taken tons - not tons - tens of thousands of tons of concrete that we enable them to bring into Gaza to build skyscrapers, to build schools, to build hospitals.

You know what they did with that, Wolf? They put 700 tons of concrete into each one of these terror attack tunnels to penetrate Israel. Now, we have discovered dozens of them. So you're talking about tens of thousands of tons of concrete, instead of going for the benefit of the school, the population, is going for terrorism against Israel.

I don't think these two statements are conflicting at all though. Except that Netanyahu's assertion seems to be that there is no other reason for these tunnels other than for terror uses while TTT seems to be saying that the Palestinians needs more than concrete and Israel isn't ponying up for the things they really need/allowing Palestinians to bring it in out in the open and thus, they have the tunnels.

And I'm pretty sure that like everything else on this topic, the truth is somewhere in the middle. Hamas is bringing in building supplies and not so building supplies with these tunnels.

[MrsAxilla]

List No. 2: Construction Items and Materials to be Allowed Entry into Gaza only for PA-authorized Projects Implemented by the International Community

Israel will only permit their entry into Gaza to facilitate construction projects in Gaza which have been authorized by the PA and implemented and monitored by the international community. The often cited reason is that such materials could be used by Hamas for military purposes (building bunkers, fortifying positions and digging tunnels)

This list includes:

Portland cement and lime (in bulk, bags or barrels)
Natural and Quarry aggregates and all varieties of gravel
Ready concrete
Precast concrete elements and products
Steel elements and/or construction products
Iron for foundations and columns, at any diameter (including wielded steel nets)
Steel cables of any width
Forms for construction elements (plastics or galvanized iron)
Industrialized forms for casting concrete
Plastic or composite beams more than 4 mm thick
Thermal isolation materials and products
Blocs (at any width) - Concrete; Silicate; Ytong or its equivalent; or gypsum
Materials and products for sealing structures
Asphalt and its components (Bitumen, emulsion) in aggregate or packaged
Steel elements or framing products for construction
Cast concrete elements and products for drainage over 1 m in diameter
Precast units and sea-borne containers
Vehicles, excluding private cars and including 4X4 vehicles and other categories of motor vehicles liable to be used in terror activities
Lumber beams and boards more than 2 cm thick, (liable to be used in "offensive" tunneling aimed at penetrating Israeli territory), unless incorporated in finished products
Specific procedures, on a case by case basis, will be established so as to permit the transfer of such lumber for other purposes in Gaza.

[ttt]

Jul 22, 2014 10:04:51 GMT -5 MrsAxilla said:

List No. 2: Construction Items and Materials to be Allowed Entry into Gaza only for PA-authorized Projects Implemented by the International Community

Israel will only permit their entry into Gaza to facilitate construction projects in Gaza which have been authorized by the PA and implemented and monitored by the international community. The often cited reason is that such materials could be used by Hamas for military purposes (building bunkers, fortifying positions and digging tunnels)

This list includes:

Portland cement and lime (in bulk, bags or barrels)
Natural and Quarry aggregates and all varieties of gravel
Ready concrete
Precast concrete elements and products
Steel elements and/or construction products
Iron for foundations and columns, at any diameter (including wielded steel nets)
Steel cables of any width
Forms for construction elements (plastics or galvanized iron)
Industrialized forms for casting concrete
Plastic or composite beams more than 4 mm thick
Thermal isolation materials and products
Blocs (at any width) - Concrete; Silicate; Ytong or its equivalent; or gypsum
Materials and products for sealing structures
Asphalt and its components (Bitumen, emulsion) in aggregate or packaged
Steel elements or framing products for construction
Cast concrete elements and products for drainage over 1 m in diameter
Precast units and sea-borne containers
Vehicles, excluding private cars and including 4X4 vehicles and other categories of motor vehicles liable to be used in terror activities
Lumber beams and boards more than 2 cm thick, (liable to be used in "offensive" tunneling aimed at penetrating Israeli territory), unless incorporated in finished products
Specific procedures, on a case by case basis, will be established so as to permit the transfer of such lumber for other purposes in Gaza.

That's kind of my point. These are only allowed in for PA projects and since the PA is essentially nonexistent in Gaza, these items are not allowed.

[MrsAxilla]

It is ironic that many of the tunnels that the IDF is now destroying were constructed by Hamas, using building materials and cement supplied by Israel. The Times of Israel website reported last January that Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon had approved the entry of roughly 1,000 tons of cement and building materials into Gaza. Israel had been supplying these types of materials spasmodically over the years depending on its assessment of the security risk. In September 2013, it resumed allowing construction materials into Gaza, but cut off the supplies a month later after the discovery of a “terror tunnel.” The passageway, which crossed from Gaza into Israel, contained explosives, and was constructed using some 500 tons of cement, according to a military spokesman.

The Ma’an News Agency, a Palestinian website, confirmed the existence of the tunnel, describing it as a “sophisticated tunnel running 450 meters into Israel and intended as a springboard for militant attacks.” Haim Yelin, the head of the Israeli local council, said that he had been taken inside for an inspection. He told Israeli Army Radio, “This tunnel, which looks like the New York subway, is apparently intended to kidnap soldiers or for some other kind of terrorist attack. It is impressively executed, with concrete supports.” The Israeli news website Ynet said that the tunnel was equipped with railway tracks and lighting, and quoted chief military spokesman Yoav Mordechai as calling it “one of the most advanced terror tunnels to be uncovered in recent years.” So, why did Israel make the apparently illogical — even suicidal — decision to supply Hamas with materials that would indirectly result in the death of Israeli citizens?

Sadly, this is not an idle claim because The Times Of Israel has reported in the last hour: “Two IDF soldiers, Major (res.) Amotz Greenberg, 45, and Adar Barsano, 20, were killed this morning when Hamas terrorists infiltrated Israeli territory through a tunnel from the central Gaza Strip and ambushed a military vehicle patrolling on the Israeli side of the border.” They are the first two soldiers in the current conflict to die because of a tunnel; it is unlikely they will be the last. So, to repeat the question: Why did Israel supply Hamas knowing what they would do? The simple answer — international pressure! The world — with the enthusiastic support of the media — has long bought into the Hamas narrative about the deprivation and hardship of Palestinians living in the Gaza strip. Hamas spokesmen have learned from Joseph Goebbels the propaganda tactic of “The Big Lie,” meaning if the same lie is repeated over and over again, it eventually becomes the accepted version. Israel has always permitted any goods or materials to enter Gaza, with the exception of items which could be used for terrorist purposes. Eventually, Israel was coerced into relaxing restrictions on building materials on a promise that they would only be used for specifically identified private or commercial purposes, and only under United Nations supervision. It’s not likely that the Israeli government, or defense establishment, ever truly bought into that guarantee, but there are times when the pressure is just too great to resist. Apart from the situation with the tunnels, which Israel is now frantically trying to destroy, no one watching any of the world media reports on the conflict would have the slightest idea that goods are still entering Gaza by the truckload every day. The Arutz Sheva website reported: “Despite the ongoing rocket fire by Gaza terrorists, Israel has not halted the entry of trucks into Gaza — and on Thursday, some 200 trucks carrying food and “basic supplies” entered Gaza. The government said that the trucks were allowed to pass through for “humanitarian purposes.”

It should be noted that the trucks enter Gaza through the Kerem Shalom crossing point; one of the tunnels destroyed by the IDF was located right next to the crossing. All the workers at the crossing are Israeli, and they put their lives in danger every day in order for goods to get through. Once the current conflict is over, much of Gaza will have to be re-built, so Hamas already knows that it will have plenty of Israeli supplied cement with which to replace the tunnels!

www.inquisitr.com/1361820/many-hamas-tunnels-built-with-cement-supplied-by-israel-is-world-pressure-to-blame-update-update2

[anonymous]

Is Israel supplying the materials or are they allowing them into Gaza but not supplying? I see them being used interchangeably but I think they are quite different. doesn't affect the situation but I am curious.

[MrsAxilla]

Jul 22, 2014 10:30:59 GMT -5 anonymous said:

Is Israel supplying the materials or are they allowing them into Gaza but not supplying? I see them being used interchangeably but I think they are quite different. doesn't affect the situation but I am curious.

Netanyahu said Israel "enabled" the supplies to go in.  They eased the restrictions.