JERUSALEM — Israeli naval commandos seized an arms ship Wednesday near Cyprus that was carrying missiles and anti-tank weapons from Iran to Hezbollah guerrillas in Lebanon, defense officials said.
The pre-dawn seizure highlighted Israel's accusations that Iran is arming its enemies. Israel offered no evidence to back up its claim that the weapons were meant for Hezbollah.
The arms cache, including anti-tank missiles and Katyusha rockets, was stashed aboard a commercial vessel operating under the guise of an aid boat, captained by a Pole and flying an Antiguan flag, Israeli defense officials said.
They spoke on condition of anonymity because the military had not yet officially released the information.
A naval unit patrolling the area spotted the vessel and on the basis of intelligence reports, intercepted and boarded it, defense officials said.
The takeover of the boat occurred without incident, said military spokeswoman Lt. Col. Avital Leibovich.
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The pre-dawn seizure highlighted Israel's accusations that Iran is arming its enemies. Israel offered no evidence to back up its claim that the weapons were meant for Hezbollah.
The arms cache, including anti-tank missiles and Katyusha rockets, was stashed aboard a commercial vessel operating under the guise of an aid boat, captained by a Pole and flying an Antiguan flag, Israeli defense officials said.
They spoke on condition of anonymity because the military had not yet officially released the information.
A naval unit patrolling the area spotted the vessel and on the basis of intelligence reports, intercepted and boarded it, defense officials said.
The takeover of the boat occurred without incident, said military spokeswoman Lt. Col. Avital Leibovich.
More Here