Originally Posted by The_Dunedan

The problem, Idyllic, is that Israel specifically forbids the importation to Gaza of certain materials which they insist are "dual use" and would be appropriated by, stolen by, or simply -given to- Hamaz/Hezb'Allah/Al-Q, etc.

Among these prohibited "dual use" materials are cement, concrete, all types of iron or steel (including rebar and hardware cloth), aluminum, copper wiring of any type, etc.

Can you use these things to build bunkers and make shrapnel for bombs? Of course you can, but you can also use sand-bags and carpet-tacks. What these materials are -usually- used for is construction...as in replacing the hundreds of civilian homes and businesses which the Israelis have destroyed and not permitted to be rebuilt. That's what was allegedly on these vessels: construction materials. When the several tonnes of rebar are "discovered," as they will be, the Israeli Gov't will predictably claim that they interdicted a huge shipment of weapons (pre-shrapnel, maybe?) bound for Hamas/Hezb'Allah terrorists and all but primed for launch. It's how they've reacted to such "contraband" in the past, and they've given no indication of being willing to stop dealing with Gaza in this way.

Essentially, Israel will only allow stuff into Gaza that has no -possible- use, not even a theoretical ability, as a weapon. Given the amount and kinds of HME* that can be cooked up with the contents of a medicine cabinet, garage, or kitchen cupboard, you can see how this excessively broad definition might be problematic for the people of Gaza.


*Home-Made Explosive