Israel intercepts ship carrying Syrian missiles from Iran to Gaza

The ship, under the control of Israeli commandoes and accompanied by ships of the Israeli Navy, is on its way to the southern port of Eilat, where it is due to arrive in three days. The seventeen crew members aboard the ship are cooperating with the Israeli soldiers, and Israeli intelligence officers who questioned them concluded that they had no role in the operation.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is in the United States following the AIPAC policy conference, commented on the raid:

“At a time when Iran is talking with world powers, is smiling and uttering pleasantries, it is also sending deadly weapons to terrorist organizations — via an elaborate network of secret operations around that world that aim to funnel rockets, missiles and other deadly weapons to be used to harm innocent civilians,” Netanyahu said. “This is the real Iran, and this country must not be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons. We will continue to do everything we must to protect the citizens of Israel.”

Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon on Wednesday said the arms shipment proves that “Gaza is a terrorist entity under Iranian auspices preparing to strike deep into Israel.”

“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,” Ya’alon said in a statement. “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,” Ya’alon said.

Haaretz notes that the Israeli commando raid took place a day before the ship was set to dock in Sudan. Israel Navy Commander Ram Rothberg monitored the operation from a missile boat at sea.

IDF spokesman said that IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz on Tuesday ordered naval forces to intercept the ship after the government authorized the operation. The IDF spokesman added that the operation was carried out “in accordance with international law” and that “the IDF would continue to thwart the arms race that Iran is leading in an attempt to inflame the region, and will use all means at its disposal to ensure the security of Israelis citizens.”

Israel has some experience in seizing Iranian shipments of advanced arms to the Gaza Strip and Hezbollah:

• In March 2011 the “Victoria,” a German-owned ship sailing under a Liberian flag, was intercepted by Israeli special forces some 200 kilometers from the Israeli coast. The ship, which started its voyage in Iran, was carrying several tons of concealed weapons.
• In 2009, after a tip from the United States, Israel raided the “Francop” off the coast of Cyprus and redirected it to the Ashdod port, where it unloaded 500 tons of weapons. That ship was on its way from Iran to Hezbollah.
• In 2003, IDF naval forces seized the “Karine A,” a ship carrying fifty tons of missiles, mortars, rifles, and ammunition sent from Iran to Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip.