Israeli Internal Security Minister Avi Dichter on Monday accused Egypt of allowing huge quantities of weapons and explosives to make their way into the Gaza Strip because it wants to help strengthen Hamas.

“Any sensible Egyptian, Israeli or Palestinian could not escape the conclusion that Egypt doesn't mind having a strong Hamas in the Gaza Strip,” Dichter told Army Radio. “I believe Egypt has an interest in having a strong Hamas.”

Dichter's charge came one day after a senior Israeli security officer told the weekly cabinet meeting that some 40 tons of weapons had been smuggled into Gaza in the past two months alone, including high-grade explosives and advanced anti-tank missiles.

Dichter said that such an enormous amount of weapons could not be brought across such a short border undetected, and that the Egyptians could put a complete halt to the transfer of arms but has chosen not to.