Israel commandos storm arms-laden ship from Iran
HAARETZ - Anshel Pfeffer and Amos Harel, Haaretz Correspondents, and AP
Navy special forces took control of an arms-laden ship located some 100 miles off the coast of Israel, the army said on Wednesday.
The ship was believed to have set out from Iran and later docked in Yemen and Sudan before sailing through the Suez Canal.
The Antigua-flagged ship was discovered during routine patrols conducted by the Navy at sea, according to a communiqué from the Israel Defense Forces Spokespersons Unit.
After soldiers boarded the freighter ship, they discovered a large cache of arms and ammunition which were concealed in order to appear to be of a commercial nature.
Israel's main TV, radio stations and newspaper Web sites said authorities
suspected the vessel was headed from Iran to Syria. The boat was being taken to the Israeli port of Ashdod on Wednesday, officials said.
After the initial search on board the ship, the navy towed the freighter to Israel, where it conducted a thorough search of the cargo, the IDF said.
Defense Minister Ehud Barak praised the capture of the ship. Barak congratulated IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi and Navy Commander Admiral Eliezer Marom for the ship's seizure.
"This is another success in the endless struggle against attempts to smuggle weapons and military equipment whose goal is to strengthen terrorist elements who threaten the security of Israel," the defense minister said. "I congratulate the IDF troops for the successful operation."
Since the conclusion of Operation Cast Lead, last winter's three-week military offensive against the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, the Navy and the Israel Air Force have conducted routine and extensive patrols and reconnaissance in the Mediterranean and Red Sea.
The military seeks to intercept ships bearing arms intended for Hamas and Hezbollah. As part of these efforts, the Navy has deployed warships through the Suez Canal.
In January 2002, IDF special forces stormed the Karine-A freighter which was carrying 50 tons of weapons loaded on board. The vessel was spotted and intercepted while sailing across the Red Sea.
Israel believes the weapons on the ship were meant to be delivered to Palestinian rejectionist groups in the Gaza Strip
Navy special forces took control of an arms-laden ship located some 100 miles off the coast of Israel, the army said on Wednesday.
The ship was believed to have set out from Iran and later docked in Yemen and Sudan before sailing through the Suez Canal.
The Antigua-flagged ship was discovered during routine patrols conducted by the Navy at sea, according to a communiqué from the Israel Defense Forces Spokespersons Unit.
After soldiers boarded the freighter ship, they discovered a large cache of arms and ammunition which were concealed in order to appear to be of a commercial nature.
Israel's main TV, radio stations and newspaper Web sites said authorities
suspected the vessel was headed from Iran to Syria. The boat was being taken to the Israeli port of Ashdod on Wednesday, officials said.
After the initial search on board the ship, the navy towed the freighter to Israel, where it conducted a thorough search of the cargo, the IDF said.
Defense Minister Ehud Barak praised the capture of the ship. Barak congratulated IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi and Navy Commander Admiral Eliezer Marom for the ship's seizure.
"This is another success in the endless struggle against attempts to smuggle weapons and military equipment whose goal is to strengthen terrorist elements who threaten the security of Israel," the defense minister said. "I congratulate the IDF troops for the successful operation."
Since the conclusion of Operation Cast Lead, last winter's three-week military offensive against the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, the Navy and the Israel Air Force have conducted routine and extensive patrols and reconnaissance in the Mediterranean and Red Sea.
The military seeks to intercept ships bearing arms intended for Hamas and Hezbollah. As part of these efforts, the Navy has deployed warships through the Suez Canal.
In January 2002, IDF special forces stormed the Karine-A freighter which was carrying 50 tons of weapons loaded on board. The vessel was spotted and intercepted while sailing across the Red Sea.
Israel believes the weapons on the ship were meant to be delivered to Palestinian rejectionist groups in the Gaza Strip
Posted by PIMPIN TURTLE at 11/4/2009 4:29 AM 
Categories: THE WAR MACHINE,Holy Land,Latest News,Middle East
Tags: Gaza Suez Canal Yemen Weapons Ship Iran
Categories: THE WAR MACHINE,Holy Land,Latest News,Middle East
Tags: Gaza Suez Canal Yemen Weapons Ship Iran
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