JERUSALEM (EJP)—The Israeli army on Sunday completed in Eilat the unloading and inspection of the weapons containers uncovered last week onboard the Panamanian-flagged cargo vessel Klos-C.
A combined task force from various units unloaded and inspected the containers in the framework of ‘’Operation Full Disclosure’’ aimed at preventing the smuggling of advanced weaponry from Iran to terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip.
The task force consisted of various Israel Defense Forces (IDF) units, including the Israel Navy, the Combat Engineering Corps and the Ordnance Corps.
According to the IDF, the weaponry found onboard the Klos-C include:
– 40 rockets (type M-302), up-to the range of 160 kilometers
– 180 mortar shells
– Approximately 400,000 7.62 caliber rounds.
The IDF Chief of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz declared: “Our efforts to prevent the proliferation of weapons and the supply of critical components with strategic influence over the region is not over, and our struggle does not end by arriving safely at our home port. We will sort through the equipment and continue our day to day efforts. There are many other missions ahead of us.’’
“The task we carried out was not a simple one. It was meticulously orchestrated by the IDF and particularly the Navy over a long period of time. It required each and every one of you to perform at your best while spending a significant amount of time at sea, and the product of this hard work is laid in front of you,’’ he added.
“Each one of these rockets poses a threat to the safety of the citizens of Israel. Each bullet and each rocket that was discovered had an Israeli address.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon were due to attend a press conference in Eilat on Monday at which the weaponry will be put on display.
Israel’s radio said ambassadors and military attaches would also be there to see the equipment “to prove to the world that Iran sends military aid to terrorist groups active in the Gaza Strip”.