Israel seizes tons of chocolate it claims is being used to fund Hamas
Israel has confiscated 23 tons of chocolate bars on their way to the Gaza Strip.
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz signed Aug. 16 an administrative order to confiscate 23 tons of chocolate bars destined for the Gaza Strip, on suspicion of being used as an alternative currency to fund Hamas.
Gantz stressed that Israel would continue to work to prevent Hamas’ growth, accusing it of building a military force instead of serving the interests of citizens who suffer from economic burdens.
“Based on suspicions, Hamas operates a wide network to finance its activities by selling basic products, including chocolate bars, to the residents of Gaza, and thus uses the revenues as economic support for its military wing in the Gaza Strip,” the Israeli Ministry of Defense said in an Aug. 16 statement.
On Aug. 17, Middle East Eye reported that a joint investigation by the Israeli military intelligence, the National Bureau for Counterterror Financing and the Tax Authority’s National Center for Cargo Inspection concluded that the products were headed for Gaza, and were purportedly going to be sold by Hamas to generate income.
