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Israeli navy intercepts ship carrying rockets

JERUSALEM: Israel said on Wednesday its navy intercepted in the Mediterranean a container ship carrying rockets destined for Lebanon’s Hezbollah group and took the vessel to an Israeli port.

Israeli media reports said the weaponry was supplied by Iran. “There were Katyusha (rockets), whose purpose is to hit civilians,” Deputy Defence Minister Matan Vilnai told Army Radio. He did not give any quantities, saying the ship was still being unloaded in Israel and voicing doubt its crew knew munitions were on aboard. Asked if the weaponry had been earmarked for Hezbollah, Vilnai said: “Yes. It strengthens (the group) and improves its long-range firing capability into Israel.”

Hezbollah launched more than 4,000 rockets into Israel during latter’s 2006 war in Lebanon and Israeli officials have said the group has rearmed since the 34-day conflict. An Israeli military spokeswoman said the navy, “performing routine checks”, spotted a cargo vessel flying an Antiguan flag 100 miles (160 km) from the Israeli coast on Tuesday night. “They suspected it was carrying weapons, and after an initial inspection, munitions were found,” she said.

Israel Radio’s military affairs correspondent identified the vessel as the Francop, a 137-metre (450-ft)-long container ship, and said it was docked at Ashdod port, south of Tel Aviv. Israel’s Channel 10 television said Israel had advance information about the vessel. Military sources said naval commandos stormed the ship in international waters. The defence ministry said it was boarded near Cyprus. reuters

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