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JERUSALEM — Open crates from a cargo ship seized Wednesday by Israel revealed dark green missiles inside. Containers from the vessel bore writing in English that said "I.R. Iranian Shipping Lines Group."
Israel alleged that the shipment of hundreds of tons of rockets, missiles, mortars, grenades and anti-tank weapons — the largest it ever seized — was headed for Hezbollah guerrillas in Lebanon.
Israel stopped the ship, named the Francop, off the coast of Cyprus and towed it to the port of Ashdod. It carried orange, red, white and blue containers piled three deep on its deck.
Rows of crates from the vessel were displayed on the dock, and inside were rockets, hand grenades, mortars and ammunition. At least 3,000 missiles were on board, the Israeli military said.
The seizure spotlighted the dangerous tensions between Israel and Iran. Israel considers Iran a strategic threat because of its nuclear program and long-range missile development, dismissing Iranian denials that it is building nuclear weapons.
Among the weaponry displayed were Katyusha rockets. One of the long skinny missiles sat atop a pile of storage boxes the military had labeled in Hebrew "rocket 122 mm." The 122 mm Katyusha was the main weapon used against Israel by Hezbollah in a monthlong war in 2006. During that war, about 1,200 people were killed in Lebanon, most of them civilians, and about 160 people were killed in Israel.
Some of the weapons were hidden in the Francop's containers behind stacked bags of polyethylene labeled in English "NPC National Petrochemical Company," and the flame logo used by both the company and the Iranian Petroleum Ministry.
Israel said the huge weapons shipment backed up its long-standing contention that Iran is supplying large quantities of arms to Hezbollah and Hamas.
The Francop's containers were carefully unloaded on army forklifts to avoid accidental detonation. Some of the containers had the initials "I.R.I.S.L." printed on one side and the fuller title, "I.R. (Islamic Republic of) Iran Shipping Lines Group" on the other. Explosives experts and dog-sniffing units examined the haul.
The Israeli military said cargo certificates showed the ship departed an Iranian port for Syria, from where the weapons would be transferred to Hezbollah in Lebanon. The military did not show the documents, and Syria denied the vessel was carrying weapons.
Iran has never acknowledged giving weapons to Hezbollah. Proof of large-scale Iranian weapons shipments to its proxy forces on Israel's borders could reinforce the views of Israelis who favor their military making a pre-emptive strike against Iran's nuclear facilities.
The seizure may also complicate relations with Egypt, where Israel says the weapons were loaded.
Wednesday's dramatic operation allowed Israel to showcase its claims of weapons smuggling by Iran and Syria, which both nations have long denied. It also provided Israel with a chance to highlight what it considers Iranian mischief amid Western allegations that Tehran is developing nuclear weapons.
The seizure came a day after Israeli officials said Hamas tested an Iranian rocket that can hit metropolitan Tel Aviv — bringing to the fore Israeli fears that both Hezbollah and Hamas are rearming for more confrontations following the 2006 Lebanon war and last winter's Gaza war.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu drew clear conclusions.
"Whoever still needed indisputable proof that Iran continues to send weapons to terror organizations got it today in a clear and unequivocal manner. Iran sends these weapons to terror organizations in order to hit Israeli cities and kill civilians," he said in a statement. "The time has come for the international community to put real pressure on Iran for it to halt this despicable activity and back Israel when it defends itself against terrorists and their patrons."
In Tehran, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem dismissed Israeli allegations the ship carried arms.
"Unfortunately, some official pirates in the seas, sometimes in the name of the navy, sometimes in the name of inspection, obstruct trade movement between Syria and Iran," al-Moallem said a joint news conference with his Iranian counterpart.
"This ship does not carry Iranian weapons to Syria and does not contain military material to manufacture weapons in Syria. This ship carries imported goods from Syria to Iran," al-Moallem added.
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JUDGE FOR YOURSELF - SOME THINGS YOU MAY WANNA KNOW"
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TAKE A LOOK HOW THE PALESTINE KIDS IS EDUCATED AS PEACE PARTNERS
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mauritius69 10 months ago
funny that no one is bashing Israel now...
but maybe its cuz of japan crysis
adir999 10 months ago
what did you say mister reporter?Did israel again vrutally attacked a humanitarian aid ship?Pooe palestinians now can't eat because of you!After all bazukas rockets and heavy rockets have become a great humanitarian aid and food supliments recent years...
vitalodion 10 months ago
I see Israel as alone because no one is decrying the serial 2-state demands, which is a genocidal demand, not to mention it is factually immoral and false. The same applies to transfering the name Palestinean onto those hell bent on another holocaust. In fact the first 2-state of Jordan was immoral & illegal and a wonder Israel survived it. Where is anyone mentioning this in the UN - where are the Christians rejecting these premises?
ELVISCHALLENGE 1 year ago
@ELVISCHALLENGE
No, the Tea Party is 100% pro-israel and anti islam. Naturally in order to remain "mainstream" they need to at least give the impression that they care a little about the so called "palestinians". But they really don't.
Kuner1 1 year ago
@Kuner1 My understanding of the tea party is it denies Israel its right to exist, by targeting Israel differently from the Islamic regimes. Those who call for on-going serial 2-states in the same land as a 2-state, then transfers the name Palestineans from Jews to Muslims - are calling for genocide of the Jews again. The T party should be calling for a 2-state in Egypt, not Israel. Europeans must never again pretend not to know what is happening at the UN and its media: Islam is medevial Europe.
ELVISCHALLENGE 1 year ago
@ELVISCHALLENGE
The left still needs islam. But the days of appeasement are coming to an end. Once the tea party is in power in the US, you will see a wind of change. Also here in Europe the right wing parties are gaining more and more momentum. 20 years from now we will have civil war.
Kuner1 1 year ago
@Kuner1 Eurostan is happening, and the Islamic people have become the least productive humans on the planet. This is despite giving them 22 Arab states which never existed 120 years ago - and oil for nought. They wail Israel still occupies 12% of the land alloted her in the Balfour [80% went to Jordan; 8% Gaza & WB]. Shame is heaven's worst punishment. The only solution is the Balfour must be restored and the Coptics given rights - they predate the Arabs in Arabia. Why not a 2-state in Egypt?
ELVISCHALLENGE 1 year ago
The Messiah premise was introduced by Jews - others have no idea what this means. The land is not subject to a Messiah - it is given with no conditions attached and cannot be overturned even by God - because God is truth. Israel also has 100% historical evidence this is her land - even admitted by you. Israel was returned when it was impossible - while Europe's chimneys still fumed and Muslims sent Haj Amin begging Hitler not to let any Jews escape alive. Why omit your crimes?
ELVISCHALLENGE 1 year ago
@ELVISCHALLENGE Israel will return in her land when the Messia will arrive on Earth, this is part from the Three Oaths found in the Talmud,the jews were sent into exile 2000 years ago by God and they will come to their land when the messiah will arrive, i don't see any Messiah in this world do you?! and the actual State of Israel is a atheistic zionist state my friend, bought and financed by the jewish european bankers before WW II!
blackvirus9 1 year ago