Israel Matzav

Israel to strike ships carrying Iranian arms to Gaza

Russia Today is reporting based on a Sunday Times of London report that Israel plans to strike a ship that is carrying Iranian missiles to Gaza.

Israeli spy satellites spotted a cargo vessel in the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas that was allegedly Gaza-bound and carrying arms, the Sunday Times reported.

“Regardless of the ceasefire agreement, we will attack and destroy any shipment of arms to Gaza once we have spotted it,” an Israeli defense official told the newspaper.

The vessel reportedly began its voyage last week just as Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire ending eight days of violence in Gaza, in which over 150 Palestinians died. The cargo is believed to include Fajr-5 rockets, similar to those used by Hamas in the conflict, and Shahab-3 ballistic missiles.

The ship is set to travel through the Red Sea, Sudan and Egypt, according to the Sunday Times report. The newspaper also cited Israeli officials speculating that Iran could be moving longer-range ballistic missiles into Sudan, which could be aimed at Israel from the African country.

The Sunday Times’ report comes a day after the Hamas leadership announced they aren’t ready to stop arming themselves, despite the recently-agreed truce and ceasefire.

"We have no choice but to continue to bring in weapons by all possible means," senior Hamas leader Mahmoud al-Zahar told reporters, adding that he expected Tehran would "increase its military and financial support to Hamas."

Earlier on Wednesday, exiled Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal thanked Shia-majority Iran for what he described as arms and funding.

There is nothing new in Israel saying that it will destroy any weapons being shipped to Gaza. It also has nothing to do with the 'cease fire' agreement, which only deals with Gaza and not with actions outside of Gaza.

Sudan should be used to this by now.

What could go wrong?

Labels: Egypt, Fajr-5 rockets, Gaza, Iran, Sudan, weapons smuggling

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 4:37 PM