U.S. Representative Gary Ackerman says smugglers are bringing some $20 million per month into Gaza from Egypt by way of the Philadephi Route.

The Democratic chairman of the U.S. House Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia made the remark in an interview with Haaretz while attending this week's Saban Conference in Jerusalem.

Ackerman said the Egyptians are strengthening the Hamas terrorist group that took over Gaza in June by allowing the smugglers to continue their activities. "Any way that you help the …. illegal government in Gaza, you further hurt Abu Mazen [Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas]," he said.