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ISRAELI NAVY INTERCEPT EGYPTIAN-BOUND SHIP CARRYING LARGE DELIVERY OF WEAPONS
PanARMENIAN.Net
March 15, 2011 - 16:12 AMT 12:12 GMT
The Israeli navy intercepted an Egyptian-bound ship carrying a large
delivery of weapons off the country's Mediterranean coast on March 15,
the military said.
The military said the cargo vessel "Victoria" originated in a Turkish
port but insisted that Turkey had no involvement in the shipment. The
ship is German-owned, operated by a French shipping company and flying
under a Liberian flag, the military said.
The interception occurred about 200 miles (320 kilometers) off Israel's
Mediterranean coast and Israeli troops met no resistance. The vessel
is now being hauled back to the Israeli port of Ashdod, according to
the military.
The military gave no details on what types of arms were on board, but
said it was intended for the use of terror organizations operating
in the Gaza Strip. In the past, Israel accused Hamas militants of
shipping arms through Egypt.
German, French and Liberian authorities have been notified of the
seizure, according to the Associated Press.
The operation is reminiscent of the November 2009 Israeli takeover of
the Iranian Francop vessel off the coast of Cyprus. Israel captured
hundreds of tons of rockets, missiles, mortars, grenades and anti-tank
weapons on board headed to Hezbollah guerrillas in Lebanon.
In January 2002, Israeli forces stormed the Karine A freighter on
the Red Sea, and confiscated what the military said was 50 tons
of missiles, mortars, rifles and ammunition headed for Palestinian
militants in the Gaza Strip.
From: A. Papazian
PanARMENIAN.Net
March 15, 2011 - 16:12 AMT 12:12 GMT
The Israeli navy intercepted an Egyptian-bound ship carrying a large
delivery of weapons off the country's Mediterranean coast on March 15,
the military said.
The military said the cargo vessel "Victoria" originated in a Turkish
port but insisted that Turkey had no involvement in the shipment. The
ship is German-owned, operated by a French shipping company and flying
under a Liberian flag, the military said.
The interception occurred about 200 miles (320 kilometers) off Israel's
Mediterranean coast and Israeli troops met no resistance. The vessel
is now being hauled back to the Israeli port of Ashdod, according to
the military.
The military gave no details on what types of arms were on board, but
said it was intended for the use of terror organizations operating
in the Gaza Strip. In the past, Israel accused Hamas militants of
shipping arms through Egypt.
German, French and Liberian authorities have been notified of the
seizure, according to the Associated Press.
The operation is reminiscent of the November 2009 Israeli takeover of
the Iranian Francop vessel off the coast of Cyprus. Israel captured
hundreds of tons of rockets, missiles, mortars, grenades and anti-tank
weapons on board headed to Hezbollah guerrillas in Lebanon.
In January 2002, Israeli forces stormed the Karine A freighter on
the Red Sea, and confiscated what the military said was 50 tons
of missiles, mortars, rifles and ammunition headed for Palestinian
militants in the Gaza Strip.
From: A. Papazian