In spite of Peace Deal Palestinians smuggle anti-aircraft missiles

The Associated Press headline reads: Palestinians Accused of Arms Smuggling.

This time, however, the arms they’ve smuggled in are not the usual guns or explosives, but Soviet-era Strella anti-aircraft missiles that could be used to shoot down commercial airliners.

Israel’s defense minister said Sunday that Palestinian security agents recently smuggled anti-aircraft missiles into the Gaza Strip from Egypt, according to officials — a development that would threaten a recent cease-fire between the two sides.

Defense Minister Shaul told a closed Cabinet meeting that Palestinian intelligence agents were involved in bringing the Strella missiles into Gaza through smuggling tunnels under the Egyptian border, participants in the meeting said.

“Last week, several Strellas were smuggled in by Palestinian military intelligence. If the Palestinians don’t get a hold of the Strellas, we will,” Mofaz was quoted as saying.

Israel Radio quoted Mofaz as saying the presence of the missiles in Palestinian hands would cross a red line. ...

Palestinian officials denied Mofaz’s accusations, saying he was trying to divert attention from Israeli violations of the Feb. 8 cease-fire agreement.

“Mofaz and the Israeli government are trying to hide the truth by sending this statement to the public,” a senior Palestinian security official said on condition of anonymity.