An Israeli navy patrol boat sank an armed terrorist craft after a high-speed chase off the Lebanon coast Saturday night, a military spokesman announced.
At least two terrorists were killed when the Israeli Devora-class patrol boat exchanged fire with the terrorists, who launched rocket-propelled grenades. There were no Israeli casualties.
The terrorist speedboat was intercepted about six miles off the coast of southern Lebanon. It was traveling toward Israel at a speed of some 30 knots (about 34.5 mph).
The boat apparently was on a mission to attack Israeli targets. But it could not immediately be determined which terrorist organization sent the raiders.
Israeli air and ground forces were alerted and directed toward the region involved.
The Devora patrol boats are replacing the older Dabour-class, which recently proved too slow for the fast motorboats employed by terrorist groups.
The Dabour boats were unable to catch two terrorist speedboats sent to attack the beaches near Tel Aviv on May 30 by Mohammad (Abul) Abbas’ Palestine Liberation Front. Twelve terrorists were captured and four were killed on the beaches in that attempt. No Israelis were hurt.
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