By Aryeh Savir
JERUSALEM – The IDF announced on Wednesday, March 5, it had seized a ship in the Red Sea carrying a weapons cargo destined to the Gaza Strip. Israel’s Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon declared that Iran was responsible and that it works constantly to destabilize the region.
The ship was flying a Panama flag, known in maritime circles as a “flag of convenience.” The vessel’s owners are believed to be Iranian. The shipment of weapons originated in Syria, from where it was flown to Iran, and from there the weapons were shipped by a circuitous route to Sudan, from which it would be smuggled overland through Egypt to the Gaza Strip, according to the IDF.
The weapons were disguised as sacks of cement. The ship initially tried evasive maneuvers by sailing towards Iraq. Due to the combination of in-depth intelligence and enhanced operational capabilities the operation was a success.
The ship was carrying long range missiles, including M-302 missiles which have a 200 KM range, and numerous other advanced weapons.
Yaalon and Chief of Staff Benny Gantz monitored the operation electronically, with Naval Commander Ram Rotenberg drawing praise for its execution. An IDF spokesman announced that Israeli military personnel and crew members were all in good shape and that the captured ship was being taken to Eilat.
IDF Spokesman, Lt. Col. Peter Lerner stated: “The IDF will continue to operate against the Iranian attempts to arm regional terrorist organizations, who intend to continuously ignite our borders. We will continue to employ all the necessary means in order to prevent the armament of terrorist organizations and will combat the Iranian smuggling attempts that threaten the security and sovereignty of the State of Israel.”.
“Weapons of strategic significance were discovered on the Iranian vessel, including rockets capable of reaching various distances. The arms were destined to reach terror organizations in the Gaza Strip via Sudan. The IDF and Israeli intelligence’s interception of the vessel successfully prevented the smuggling of these weapons whose ultimate purpose was to target Israeli civilians and disrupt life in Israel.”
Defense Minister Yaalon said: “It has once again become clear that Iran continues to be the greatest exporter of terror in the world, with the express purpose of destabilizing the Middle East. This, while in complete violation of international law and abuse of open maritime trading routes. Iran supplies financial support, arms and training to terror organizations in the region and around the world, and its failed effort to transfer the weapons discovered this morning, is additional evidence. The Iranian regime continues to deceive the world; while it shows its smiling face it continues to be the biggest threat to world peace.”
“This Iranian attempt to transfer weapons to the Gaza Strip is additional evidence that Gaza is a terrorist entity under Iranian auspices preparing to strike deep into Israel.”
Yaalon expressed his appreciation to the IDF and its commanders who carried out their operation smoothly and professionally. “We will continue to act responsibly and with caution, and take all necessary measures at our disposal to ensure the security of Israel’s citizens,” Yaalon concluded.
Prime Minister Bejamin Netanyahu, who is currently touring the US, spoke with Yaalon, Gantz and Mossad Director Tamir Pardo and praised them for the quality intelligence that led to the action and for the precision with which the operation was carried out.
Netanyahu said: “I would like to commend the IDF, the intelligence services of the State of Israel and – of course – the navy commanders and personnel who carried out a perfect operation to intercept a secret Iranian weapons ship. At a time when it is talking to the major powers, Iran smiles and says all sorts of nice things, the same Iran is sending deadly weapons to terrorist organizations and is doing so via a ramified network of secret operations in order to send rockets, missiles and other deadly weapons that will be used to harm innocent citizens. This is the true Iran and this state cannot possess nuclear weapons. We will continue to whatever is necessary in order to defend Israel’s citizens.”
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Aryeh Savir is a staff writer for the Tazpit News Agency in Israel. He may be contacted via en@tazpit.org.il