Israel: Ship Seized Carrying Sophisticated Weapons To Gaza Strip
ARON HELLER 03/15/11 03:20 PM 
Read More: Gaza, Gaza Weapons, Israel, Israel Ship, Israel Ship Seized, Israel Weapons Ship Seized,Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, World News
JERUSALEM — Israel said Tuesday it seized a cargo ship loaded with weapons sent by Iran to Palestinian militants in Gaza, including sophisticated land-to-sea missiles that officials said could change the balance of power in the area.
The takeover in the Mediterranean Sea was the latest in a series of Israeli naval raids meant to counter the growing influence of Iran, which Israel accuses of supplying rockets and other arms to Israel's bitterest enemies.
The navy's deputy commander, Brig. Gen. Rani Ben-Yehudah, said investigators had found between two and four Chinese-made C-704 missiles, which land-based forces can use to attack ships.
Ben-Yehudah said Iran is known to possess these weapons, the shipment included instruction manuals in Farsi and there were other clues that "explicitly" showed Iranian involvement.
The military released a photo of a booklet with the words "technical missile identification document" written in Farsi on the cover. It identified the system as a C-704 "Nasr" missile, provided a serial number and date of issue in the Persian calendar.
Such weaponry could impede Israel's ability to enforce its naval blockade of Gaza, which it imposed after Hamas took power in 2007. The captured ship, the "Victoria," was being towed into Israel, and further details on its contents were expected to be released after it reached port late Tuesday.
Defense Minister Ehud Barak said the arms included "the beginnings of an advanced system" the Gaza militants currently do not possess and could affect Israel's ability to act along Gaza's coast.
"We will take out the gear and show it to the world, a world that is quick to blame Israel when it fights to protect its citizens. It is important that the world see what we are up against," said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Israel has long contended that Iran and Syria provide arms and other support to Hamas militants in Gaza and Hezbollah guerrillas in Lebanon.
