Haneya aide: Iranian-made Grad rockets smuggled into Gaza by sea

Well, this does two things: it largely vindicates the Egyptians from Israeli accusations of having its territory used for smuggling rockets into Gaza, and it acknowledges that the rockets used are in part Iranian-made. In the latter case, it doesn't necessarily mean that the Iranian government is actively smuggling rockets into Gaza, because there is a thriving and complex black market network in that region that operates outside the control of any one government (they smuggle all kinds of weapons, be they Egyptian, Russian, Iranian, Syrian, or Chinese). But Iran could very well be directly involved, although these rockets are probably smuggled through Hezbollah if that was the case.


Haneya aide: Iranian-made Grad rockets smuggled into Gaza by sea

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-03/13/content_7783377.htm

GAZA, March 13 (Xinhua) -- An aide to deposed Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haneya on Thursday said Iranian-made Grad rockets are smuggled into Gaza across the Mediterranean Sea, not through underground tunnels with Egypt.

"Grad rockets are long and sensitive and the Egyptian statements that these rockets don't enter through its territories are true," Ahmed Yousef, Haneya's political advisor, told reporters in Gaza.

Though Israel controls the sea, Palestinian armed groups "were able to bring that kind of rockets" into Gaza, Yousef said, noting that "the Palestinian resistance knows how to get the Grad rockets."

Other rockets which Palestinian militants often launch into Israel are manufactured locally, according to Yousef, who clarified he was not "a rocket expert."

Yousef also ruled out the reinforcement of calmness following the death of four Palestinian militants in West Bank town of Bethlehem killed by Israeli undercover forces.

"This barbaric act proves that Israel is not interested in peace and doesn't want calmness with the Palestinians," he said.

Asked if Hamas will resume rocket attacks on Israel, Yousef said the assassination of the four Palestinian militants "requires responses from all sides."

On Thursday, Islamic Jihad movement fired two dozens of shells into Israeli communities near Gaza, breaking a few days of lull in fighting between Israel and Palestinian militants.

The movement said the resumption of rocket attacks was in retaliation for the killing of the four militants in the West Bankon Wednesday.

 

That thought came to mind, and if it's indeed the case then I would bet that the Egyptians may have made some 'deal' with Hamas leaders in their recent talks in exchange for them helping take pressure off Egyptian border authorities in regards to smuggling. Unless, of course, they're bragging, which wouldn't be a first.

On the flip side, why would a senior Hamas leader so casually implicate Iran?