B*N*S*N3

Chief of Staff, "The War on Weapon Smuggling Continues"

''The interception of this weapons-carrying ship gives an answer to all those who were dubious, attacked and criticized Israel about intercepting ships attempting to reach the Gaza Strip''. Photo: IDF Spokesperson

16 March 2011 , 19:08

Jonatan Urich and Tamara Shavit

Weapons found aboard the Victoria were thoroughly searched. As many as 230 mortar shells sized 60 to 120-mm with a range of 10 kilometers were found. Minister of Defense, "A very dangerous attempt was thwarted"

The IDF presented the Iraninan weaponry found on Victoria on Wednesday (Mar. 16), after the ship docked in Ashdod the previous. In three, large cargo containers, six ready-to-be-launched C-704 ani-ship missiles were found, two launchers, two exterior launchers and two launch pads.

Additionally, 230 mortar shells sized 60 to 120-mm with a range of 10 kilometers were found, 2,260 mortar shells of the same size but with a range of 2.5 kilometers and as many as 74,889 bullets for AK-47 rifles. The weaponry was concealed behind sacs of lentils and cotton, spread throughout 36 containters overall.

"The interception of this weapons-carrying ship gives an answer to all those who were dubious, attacked and criticized Israel about intercepting ships attempting to reach the Gaza Strip," stressed the Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, who'd seen the weapons found. The Prime Minister added saying, "This is our duty, not just our right, to stop these ships and strip them of their weapons, which came from Iran. They passed through Syria and were on their way to terrorist operatives in the Gaza Strip with a goal of harming citizens of the State of Israel."...

Much more on this IDF story here.