Navy vessel (Archive photo)
Navy: Large-scale smuggling bids foiled
Senior officer tells reporters smuggling attempts thwarted in last two weeks, declines to provide details; army estimates smugglers shot Saturday were carrying ‘special weapons’
Maritime smuggling is turning into a major theater for transferring weapons into the Gaza Strip, a senior Navy officer said Saturday in a briefing attended by reporters following the killing of a Palestinian smuggler.
“When the ground force realized the smugglers were exposed, it opened fire at our vessels in order to cover for its people,” Lax said.
“The incident that took place tonight, where we hit two swimmers who attempted to smuggle in combat means from Egypt to the Gaza Strip, is another incident in a series of smuggling attempts thwarted in the past two weeks,” said Ashdod region Navy Commander Yoram Lax.
Boat used by smugglers (Photo: AFP)
“We cannot reveal all the incidents at this time, but we can certainly say that large-scale smuggling attempts were thwarted and we are seeing terror group motivation to smuggle combat means through the sea,” he said.
In Saturday’s incident, a joint force of naval commandos and forces aboard a Navy vessel spotted two swimmers carrying bags containing weapons.
The Navy ship, Shaldag, is one of the force’s newest vessels and has recently been brought into operational service due to its quick maneuvering ability and suitability for the Gaza theater.
Special weapons?
After spotting the Palestinian suspects, the Navy called on them to stop but they continued swimming. At one point, Palestinian gunmen on the shore opened fire at the Israeli vessel.
Smuggling Attempt
Hanan Greenberg
Soldiers identify two Palestinians swimming toward shore in possession of equipment suspected as weapons; after ignoring order to stop, soldiers shoot, hit them; report: One Palestinian killed, other missing
The incident ended after the Navy fired at both swimmers, killing one. The second smuggler has been declared missing. IDF officials estimate the two were carrying what they terms “special weapons,” rather than guns and other arms that are usually smuggled in on the ground.
“Usually it’s not worthwhile to undertake such efforts in order to smuggle regular combat means,” a Navy official said.
