Israel Navy intercepts Hezbollah’s arms ship
JERUSALEM — The Israeli navy seized an arms ship about 100 miles (160 kilometers) west of Israel’s coast early Wednesday and were towing it to an Israeli port for further inspection, the military said.
An Israeli warship arrives at an Israeli navy base in the Red Sea resort city of Eilat, July 15, 2009. (Reuters)
Military officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Associated Press that the boat originated in Iran and its cargo was headed for Iranian-backed Hezbollah guerrillas in Lebanon who have warred with Israel.
The defense officials said the arms cache included various missiles, including anti-tank missiles. The ship, which was being taken to the southern Israeli port of Ashdod, was disguised as an aid boat and was flying an Antiguan flag, they added.
They spoke on condition of anonymity because the military had not officially released the information.
Col. Avital Leibovich, a military spokeswoman, confirmed that an elite navy unit on a routine patrol identified a cargo ship flying an Antigua flag and intercepted it without incident. They discovered weapons and munitions on board, she said, but had no details.
Officials gave no information about the ship’s crew.
In January 2002, Israeli forces stormed the Karine-A freighter as it was sailing on the Red Sea, and confiscated what the military said was 50 tons of weapons. (AP)
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