Israeli Navy Seizes Fishing Boat Loaded with Smuggled Weapons - 2003-05-22

Israeli naval forces have intercepted a fishing boat carrying materials used for bomb-making and seized its cargo, detaining an individual believed to be affiliated with the Hezbollah militant group. Israeli military officials state that naval commandos took control of the small vessel on Wednesday as it was heading from northern Israeli waters towards Egypt or the Gaza Strip. The commandos detained eight individuals, including one suspected to be a Hezbollah member identified as Hamid Abu Amra. The Israeli army accuses Mr. Amra of plotting to infiltrate Gaza and teaching bomb-making techniques to Palestinian militants. Initial reports indicated that the boat was filled with weapons, but Israel now claims that most of the cargo consisted of materials used for bomb construction. The Israeli army aims to clarify whether the boat's passengers had any connections with officials of the Palestinian Authority. Israel claims that in actions taken in January 2002 to combat arms smuggling, which resulted in the seizure of fifty tons of weapons in the Red Sea, government officials were involved. Meanwhile, Mahmoud Abbas, the new Palestinian Prime Minister, has met with leaders of the Hamas militant group. This is the first time Mr. Abbas has met with the leaders of this group since assuming the premiership last month. It was expected that Mr. Abbas would urge Hamas to cease attacks against Israelis. Israel has called for an end to such attacks before any actions can be taken to implement the so-called Middle East peace roadmap, which has U.S. support. Reports emerged today in Washington and Jerusalem indicating that President Bush may meet with Mr. Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon as part of a summit conference.