KarineA

The Karine-A was a Palestinian Authority weapons ship intercepted by the Israeli Navy on January 3, 2002, in the Red Sea. The vessel was en route from Iran to the Gaza Strip, allegedly carrying a significant cache of weapons, including Katyusha rockets, anti-tank missiles, and firearms. Israel claimed the shipment was intended for Palestinian militant groups and represented a violation of international agreements.

The interception of the Karine-A became a significant event during the Second Intifada, escalating tensions between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon publicly accused Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat of direct involvement in the arms smuggling operation. The Palestinian Authority denied direct responsibility, stating that the ship's cargo was not authorized by them.

Following the interception, Israel released images and details of the seized weapons, presenting it as evidence of Iranian support for Palestinian militant activities and a threat to Israeli security. The incident fueled international debate about the flow of arms into the Palestinian territories and the role of Iran in the conflict. The ultimate fate of the ship and its crew, as well as the specific details of the weapons found, were subjects of ongoing reports and diplomatic discussions.