BRIEF: EU Condemns Terrorists’ Use of Explosives Containing Aid Bags

JERUSALEM, Israel – On Saturday, Israel confiscated bags containing explosive chemicals, disguised as EU humanitarian aid bags, as they were being transported in a Palestinian truck to the Gaza Strip.

The bags were marked “sugar,” but the Israeli army said they contained 6.5 tons of potassium nitrate, a chemical used by terrorists to make homemade bombs and rockets.

"We condemn any abuse of any humanitarian aid for non-humanitarian purposes, and those who commit such acts do such to the detriment of the Palestinians," said an EU official.

The EU, which provides the greatest amount of aid to the Gaza area, refuted any accusations that it was involved in the plot, noting that it has never provided sugar as part of its aid distribution to the Palestinians.

For more information, please see:

Reuters - Israel says finds explosive chemicals in EU aid bags - 29 December 2007

Jerusalem Post - EU slams terrorists' use of phony sugar sacks - 30 December 2007