Yesterday evening, the IDF completed unloading approximately 150 containers on board the intercepted Klos-C, a ship suspected of transporting advanced weaponry from Iran to terrorists in the Gaza Strip.
Conducted under Operation Full Disclosure, a special IDF task force was assembled in the port city of Eilat to unload and inspect the weapons. The task force consists of soldiers from the Ordinance Corps, Navy, and the Combat Engineering Corps.
Israeli officials have so far uncovered a trove of weapons, with officials expecting to find more munitions over the next few days. IDF Spokesperson Peter Lerner, who was present at the initial unloading, stated on Twitter that there were “rows and rows of rockets” made up of some 150 containers.
So far, the IDF has confirmed that 40 M302 rockets, which have a range of 160 kilometers, had been uncovered. 180 mortar shells and approximately 400,000 7.62 caliber rounds were also discovered.
Israel views the discovery of the weapons as another proof of Iran’s role in supporting international terrorism. On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he wanted Catherine Ashton, the EU’s foreign policy chief who is currently in Tehran, to bring up the topic of the Klos-C.
“I call this to the attention of Catherine Ashton, who is now visiting Tehran,” he stated at the start of the weekly cabinet meeting. “I would like to ask her if she asked her Iranian hosts about this shipment of weapons for terrorist organizations, and if not, why not.”
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz met with soldiers who were part of the raid and congratulated them on their success. He told the soldiers that they were part of the everyday struggle against the Islamic Republic and their efforts to arm terrorist groups.
“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,” Gantz said.
Iran had denied any connection to the shipment and views the operation as Israel’s attempt to defame the Islamic Republic.
CLICK HERE to watch an IDF video of soldiers discovering weapons on the Klos-C
