Israel’s military says alleged Iranian weapons shipment to Gaza contained 40 rockets

EILAT, Israel – Israel’s military says a cargo ship it intercepted in the Red Sea last week carried 40 rockets with a range of up to 160 kilometres (100 miles) and dozens of mortar shells.

Israel has alleged the shipment was orchestrated by Iran and was intended for Islamic militants in Gaza. An Egyptian security official said Sunday the rockets might also have been intended for militants in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, which borders Gaza. Officials in Iran and Gaza militants have denied involvement with the shipment.

The Panama-flagged vessel with a Turkish crew docked in Israel’s port of Eilat on Saturday and was unloaded Sunday.

Israel has used the interception to bolster claims that Iran remains dangerous and that the world powers should break off negotiations with Tehran over the country’s nuclear program.

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