Israel claims to arrest 10 Gazans for ship attack plot

By Anees Suheil Barghouti

JERUSALEM

Israeli forces arrested 10 Palestinians for allegedly plotting to attack a naval vessel and kidnap Israeli soldiers, according to the Shin Bet internal security service.

In a statement on Wednesday, Shin Bet said the ten were arrested on March 12 and taken into custody for questioning.

It said the suspects had allegedly planned to fire an anti-tank missile at a naval vessel with the intention of causing injuries and abduct those killed or injured in the attack.

All suspects were from Rafah in southern Gaza City.

Shin Bet said three suspects were indicted, while the other seven were released.

There was no comment from Palestinian authorities on the Israeli claim.

The claim comes amid tension across border between Israel and the Gaza Strip after at least 17 Palestinians were killed by Israeli gunfire during rallies demanding the return of refugees last week.

In the run-up to the protests, Israel had deployed thousands of troops along the border, threatening to use live ammunition against anyone who threatened Israel’s “security infrastructure”.

The rallies marked the start of a six-week-long protest that will culminate on May 15, which will mark the 70th anniversary of Israel’s establishment -- an event Palestinians refer to as the “Nakba” or “Catastrophe”.