The Israel navy seized a yacht enroute to the Lebanese port of Sidon last Saturday night, carrying a group of PLO Fatah terrorists who intended attacking Israeli targets after crossing through Lebonon, the Israel Defense Force spokesman announced today.
It was the second attempt by the ship and the gang. Their first try was foiled some two weeks ago by Lebanese militiamen who would not allow it to land at Sidon.
The yacht was apparently staffed by two West Europeans, who have also been detained. The terrorist gang had been trained in Algeria for about a year, and had then left for Tunisia before making their way to Athens and thence aboard the yacht Kasilradi to Cyprus, from where they had set sail towards Sidon.
PLANNED A ‘SHOWCASE ATTACK’
Under interrogation, they said they had planned to come ashore in Sidon and then make their way overland via southern Lebanon towards Israel, where they had been ordered to carry out a “showcase attack.” The terrorists said they belonged to Yasir Arafat’s Fatah organization.
Prime Minister Shimon Peres said this week he had accurate information that Arafat was personally responsible for planning and carrying out terrorist attacks against Israel and Israeli targets abroad.
A similar Fatah vessel on its way towards Sidon to carry out attacks in Israel-the Atavirus-was sunk by the IDF navy three months ago.
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