Israel's Shin Bet security service said on Wednesday that in a joint operation with the navy it foiled a Palestinian attempt to sail rocket-making materials from Egypt into Gaza.
It said in a statement that three Gazans appeared in an Israeli court charged with "security offences" after being arrested at sea last month with a cargo of liquid fibreglass.
It added that under interrogation, the men said the substance was intended for the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of the Islamist Hamas movement, "and was meant to provide the raw material used to produce rockets and mortars".
Hamas has issued no statement on any interception.
Shin Bet said seaborne smuggling attempts have increased recently as a result of the Egyptian army's destruction of hundreds of tunnels between its troubled Sinai region and the neighbouring Palestinian territory where Hamas is the de facto power.
Since Egypt's military ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in 2013, the authorities have accused Hamas of aiding jihadists who have waged a string of deadly attacks on Egyptian security forces in the Sinai.
GMT 08:21 2017 Saturday ,09 December
Gaza rocket hits Israeli town: armyGMT 16:31 2017 Friday ,03 November
Death toll rises to 12 in Gaza tunnel Israel blew upGMT 09:38 2017 Tuesday ,19 September
Hamas militant dies in Gaza tunnel incidentGMT 18:23 2017 Sunday ,30 July
Palestinian president Abbas leaves hospital after ‘routine checkup’GMT 18:00 2017 Sunday ,30 July
Gates to al-Aqsa Mosque reopen with no age restrictionsGMT 15:05 2017 Tuesday ,18 July
Palestinian car-ramming attacker shot deadGMT 07:58 2017 Saturday ,15 July
UN chief fears Jerusalem attack could igniteGMT 09:39 2017 Wednesday ,12 July
2 Palestinians shot dead by Israeli armyMaintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2023 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2023 ©