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Israel seizes ship 'carrying weapons for Hezbollah'

Source: The Guardian

Nov 04, 2009

Summary

Military says vessel flying Antiguan flag had ammunition disguised as civilian cargo on board

Israeli naval special forces today seized a civilian cargo ship near Cyprus which they said was carrying weapons, including rockets, destined for the Hezbollah miltant group.

The ship, flying an Antiguan flag, was boarded and brought to an Israeli port after ammunition and weapons "disguised as civilian cargo" were found on board, the Israeli military said.

It was intercepted 100 miles west of the Israeli coastline and brought to Ashdod.

Matan Vilnai, the Israeli deputy defence minister, said the weapons included Katyusha rockets.

Vilnai claimed they were destined for Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group which fought a month-long war with Israel in 2006 and which Israel claims is Iranian-supported.

Hezbollah fired thousands of Katyusha rockets into Israel during the conflict.

"There were Katyusha, whose purpose is to hit civilians," Vilnai told Israeli Army Radio. He said the crew of the container ship were probably unaware of the cargo they were carrying.

Israel's defence

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