Israeli navy intercepts arms ship: military

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(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-11-05 01:04

Munitions are displayed at the port of Ashdod November 4, 2009. [Agencies]

Military sources said naval commandos seized the 137-metre (450-ft)-long vessel in international waters.

Asked if the weaponry on the ship had been earmarked for Hezbollah, Vilnai said: "Yes. It strengthens (the group) and improves its long-range firing capability into Israel."

He did not give any quantities, saying the vessel was still being unloaded in Israel and voicing doubt as to whether its crew knew munitions were on aboard. Army Radio said anti-tank missiles were also found.

Iranian-backed Hezbollah launched more than 4,000 rockets into Israel during a 2006 war and Israeli officials have said the group has rearmed since the 34-day conflict.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement that weapons discovered on the vessel could have been used to attack Israeli cities.

But in public comments on the incident, Israeli leaders gave no hint they were contemplating military action against Hezbollah in response to the alleged weapons smuggling attempt. The Israeli-Lebanese frontier has been largely quiet since 2006.

The largest weapons-smuggling ship intercepted by the Israeli navy was the Karine-A, a freighter boarded in 2002 while carrying tons of weapons that Israel said Iran had sent to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

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