The British Sunday Times reports that Israel successfully detected a cargo ship docked in the Iranian port Bandar Abbas about a week ago being loaded with missiles, weapons and ammunition intended for Hamas in Gaza. Experts believe the vessel is heading towards Gaza via Sudan and Egypt.

The report quotes an “Israeli defense source” anonymously stating that despite the ceasefire agreement with Hamas, the vessel will be tracked and destroyed, making it clear Israel will not permit the weapons and ammunition make it to Gaza as Hamas begins rebuilding and restocking for the next round of warfare with Israel.

It was reported by Israeli sources during Operation Pillar of Defense that the longer-range Fajar rockets that were fired from Gaza towards Gush Dan and Yerushalayim were the result of Iranian technology and assistance, some being built in Gaza. The Sunday Times add that some of the rockets are delivered disassembled in a number of parts, smuggled into Gaza from Sinai. This is one of the reasons the air forces targeted the weapons smuggling tunnel network extensively during the counterterrorism offensive.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)