Smuggling and conflict: Security threat to southern Israel

Egyptian security forces discovered a cache of explosives on 2 September 100km south of el-Arish in the Sinai. The cache, destined for the Gaza Strip, contained none other than the 240 mm Kayutsha rocket, used successively against Israel by Hezbollah in the 2006 Summer war. If Gaza groups had gained control of these weapons the cities of Ashkelon, Netivot and possible Beersheba could have been targeted. There is no evidence to suggest however, that groups like Islamic Jihad and Hamas don’t have these weapons already. Over the past year statements have been made that militants are stockpiling offensive weaponry in the Gaza Strip in preparation for a full out conflict with Israel. It would make sense therefore for the militants to bide their time and wait for an opportunity to strike at Israel when their attention is diverted to the north or in the West Bank. At present the groups are using lower yield rockets, the Qassam (pictured bottom) that hardly cause any physical damage and is rather used to sow chaos in southern Israeli communities. Israel has not responded to the latest threats, due in part to the ongoing negotiations with Fatah, however, with increasing pressure at home to take out Hamas and secure border communities, Olmert's hand may be forced, leading to an escalation and an answer to the question on everyone's lips "Do Gaza militants possess long range offensive weapons?"