Arms prices drop as tons of weapons smuggled into Gaza

[Womble]

Palestinians smuggle weapons from Egypt into Gaza

Black market prices for weapons and bullets have dropped sharply in Gaza in recent days because of intensive smuggling across the wide-open Gaza-Egypt border, Palestinian officials and arms smugglers said today.

The frontier used to be heavily guarded by Israel, but thousands have crossed in both directions since Israeli troops withdrew on Monday. Israel has filed a complaint with Egypt, amid growing concerns that weapons and militants would reach Gaza.

An arms dealer said the price of an AK-47 assault rifle has dropped from around £1,000 (€1,484) to around £650 (€965). Bullets for the weapon are now being sold for as little as three shekels (around 50p) when previously they cost up to 18 shekels.

Egyptian-made pistols that were recently sold in Gaza for £700 (€1,039)can now be bought for as little as £90 (€133), while an Italian pistol can be bought for £200 (€297), down from a previous high of £1,750 (€2,600), said the dealer, who identified himself only as Khader.

Most of the arms were bought from Bedouins and farmers on the Egyptian side of the border, Khader said. A Palestinian border control officer confirmed arms have been smuggled into Gaza, bringing down prices.

Israel has long been concerned that once it withdraws from the border, arms and militants would be freely smuggled into Gaza.

Gazans have been moving across the border unhampered since Israel withdrew on Monday, buying cigarettes, cheese, petrol and even goats. Many have enjoyed seaside meals at Egyptian resorts, and reunited with family they have been unable to see for years due to Israel’s fortress-like guard of the border.


Bloody backstabbing Egyptian bastards.

[Mediocrates]

Libertarian Conservatives should be delireous with the free air of competition in the marketplace shorn of nasty government regulations. I'm sure the invisble magical free hand of commerce will solve everything.

[Ephraim]

Libertarian Conservatives should be delireous with the free air of competition in the marketplace shorn of nasty government regulations. I'm sure the invisble magical free hand of commerce will solve everything.

Hah!

(I think you fear conservatives more than Pals with AKs)

But let's look at the situation. Arms will flood into Gaza. Perhaps even Sam7 anti-aircraft missiles. Gaza will be armed to the teeth. That is good.

The next time Israel attempts a targeted assassination, the helo will get shot down. No more targeted assassinations.

Israel will be forced to face reality. Gaza is a foreign enemy State, and what do most nations do when attacked by a foreign enemy State...they fight back.

So, my idea of pre-positioning several batteries of 155mm artillery within striking distance of all parts of Gaza may turn out to the be the accepted plan.

One missile comes from Gaza....six shells go back. Automatic. No thinking. No plannning. Autopilot. (Pre-aimed for Hamas Gaza first). Tell the world that is what you are going to do.

Never occupy Gaza again. Leave it alone or destroy it.

Seal it off and wait. If attacks come....boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom. Six shells like clockwork. The whole world knows it will come and eventually, no more attacks or no more Gaza.

Its either that or the Israelis might as well update their passports and leave as they will get driven into the ocean eventually.

[Mediocrates]

Yeah unfortunately, as they say in Shakespeare, the die is cast. Israel will slowly pretend to negotiate for what it has already decided it will do on its own anyhow - it will eventually withdraw from patrolling the Gaza shore or the Gaza airspace. If this week is any measure, Egypt will keep their border open indefinitely. Why? Because you have to look at why they gave up Gaza in the first place. They gave it away not because of the land but because of the people on it. They exported their own Palestinian problem. And so far as anyone can tell the open border only flows one way - out of Egypt. So what Egypt will do is quietly allow any of its other more dangerous radical elements to escape to Gaza.

[Ephraim]

Another possibility is that "the right of return" may be attempted via Gaza. The population would increase so greatly that the world will demand that Israel allow humanitarian movement to the West Bank.

[Mediocrates]

or any place that happens to be between it and the west bank.

[Ephraim]

Yea, probably so.

You seem even more pessimistic that I regarding Israel. I certainly am more pessimistic than I was back in the 1970's-80's.

So, give me your prediction for Israel over the next 10 years. I will also put one together and we will see who comes closest.

[Mediocrates]

I'd have to think about it. Tear it up and write a new one.