The Israeli Naval Commando unit in conjunction with the air force seized a PLO freighter carrying 50 tons of arms early Thursday morning. Most of the weapons came from Iran and were bound for PLO-controlled territory in Gaza. In the operation code-named \"Noah\'s Ark,\" the navy forces overtook the vessel by complete surprise and without firing a shot. The boat was located about 500 kilometers (300 miles) south of Israel in the Red Sea. Navy forces escorted the freighter into the Israeli Red Sea port of Eilat, arriving Friday night.
The arms on board the Karin A were packaged in 83 cases coated for sea-smuggling purposes. Included in the shipment were the following: 107mm and 122mm katyusha rockets (capable of reaching major Israeli cities), 120mm mortars, Sager and LAW anti-tank missiles, explosives, anti-tank mines, scuba gear, AK-47 assault rifles, and more. The vessel was manned by 13 PLO personnel and at least one person identified with the Lebanese Hizbullah. The captain of the vessel was a senior officer in the PLO navy.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. General Shaul Mofaz revealed the details of the mission at a Friday afternoon press conference. In his speech Mofaz thanked the \"Naval commando warriors\" who carried out the mission and said that, \"If warfare equipment of this kind had reached the hands of terrorists acting against us, it would have dramatically altered the security of the citizens of the State of Israel and the soldiers of the IDF, and drastically increased the terror activity against us.\" Other notable quotes from Mofaz\'s speech:
\"The smuggling attempt emphasizes, and points directly at the PA\'s
intentions to continue a strategy of terror and violence, increasing and
escalating over time.\"
\"The PA is drenched from head to toe with terror and doesn\'t understand
that in a world after the horrible events of Sept. 11, they cannot
achieve their goals through the use of violence and terror.\"
\"This mission is another milestone in our effort to dry the swamp of
terror, which exists in the heart of Judea, Samaria and the Gaza Strip.
It undoubtedly saved many lives.\"
He also stated that the smuggling attempt was in direct violation of all existing agreements between Israel and the PLO. PLO officials adamantly denied that the weapons were intended for them, and instead claimed that they were headed for Hizbullah. Mofaz however stated, \"The link between the staff aboard the ship and the PLO and its leaders is, without a doubt, clear and undeniable.\" Israeli Television military correspondent Ron Ben Yishai reported on Saturday night that Omar Akawi, the ship\'s captain, admitted during his interrogation that the PLO was the intended recipient of the arms.
The arms on board the Karin A were packaged in 83 cases coated for sea-smuggling purposes. Included in the shipment were the following: 107mm and 122mm katyusha rockets (capable of reaching major Israeli cities), 120mm mortars, Sager and LAW anti-tank missiles, explosives, anti-tank mines, scuba gear, AK-47 assault rifles, and more. The vessel was manned by 13 PLO personnel and at least one person identified with the Lebanese Hizbullah. The captain of the vessel was a senior officer in the PLO navy.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. General Shaul Mofaz revealed the details of the mission at a Friday afternoon press conference. In his speech Mofaz thanked the \"Naval commando warriors\" who carried out the mission and said that, \"If warfare equipment of this kind had reached the hands of terrorists acting against us, it would have dramatically altered the security of the citizens of the State of Israel and the soldiers of the IDF, and drastically increased the terror activity against us.\" Other notable quotes from Mofaz\'s speech:
\"The smuggling attempt emphasizes, and points directly at the PA\'s
intentions to continue a strategy of terror and violence, increasing and
escalating over time.\"
\"The PA is drenched from head to toe with terror and doesn\'t understand
that in a world after the horrible events of Sept. 11, they cannot
achieve their goals through the use of violence and terror.\"
\"This mission is another milestone in our effort to dry the swamp of
terror, which exists in the heart of Judea, Samaria and the Gaza Strip.
It undoubtedly saved many lives.\"
He also stated that the smuggling attempt was in direct violation of all existing agreements between Israel and the PLO. PLO officials adamantly denied that the weapons were intended for them, and instead claimed that they were headed for Hizbullah. Mofaz however stated, \"The link between the staff aboard the ship and the PLO and its leaders is, without a doubt, clear and undeniable.\" Israeli Television military correspondent Ron Ben Yishai reported on Saturday night that Omar Akawi, the ship\'s captain, admitted during his interrogation that the PLO was the intended recipient of the arms.