Israeli commandoes raid ship searching for arms
Apr 22, 2012, 6:10 PM
Associated Press
JERUSALEM (AP) – Israeli military officials say navy commandoes have raided a ship flying a Liberian flag on suspicion it was carrying weapons destined for anti-Israel militants.
Israeli media reported the ship was searched and then released after no weapons were found.
The officials said that Israeli forces boarded the vessel Sunday about 160 kilometers (100 miles) off Israel’s coast. They spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.
They said the ship was suspected of smuggling arms but would not disclose further details, calling the raid “routine.”
Israeli commandoes have intercepted ships in the past carrying weapons destined for Palestinian militants. Israel enforces a sea blockade of Gaza to stop weapons shipments to Palestinian militants there.
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