Hezbollah Missile Hit Egyptian Merchant Ship, Injuring 1 July 15, 2006
Posted by notapundit in Main, World News.trackback
CAIRO (AP)–An Egyptian merchant ship was hit by a Hezbollah missile injuring one crew member during the guerillas’ attack on an Israeli warship off of Beirut, an Egyptian transport official said Saturday.
On Friday, the Moonlight, bound for the Syrian port of Tartus with a cargo of cement, was struck by a missile and set aflame, the official told The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to give statements to the media.
One of the 12 Egyptian sailors on board was injured in the incident, he said.
The Moonlight was 21.75 miles off of the Lebanese coast when it was hit, according to Mohammed al-Redi of the al-Redi Agency that owns the vessel, meaning that it was outside the 3-mile blockade Israel imposed on the Lebanese shoreline.
Another ship, the al-Marwa, also carrying cement and owned by the same company, rescued the crew and took it to Syria, al-Redi told the AP.
He said the company does not know what happened to the vessel after its crew was rescued. Along with its cargo, the Moonlight is valued at $2.5 million.
Both vessels departed Wednesday from the Egyptian port of Damietta.
I have not seen, read or heard of any response or comments by Egypt or it’s government pertaining to this mishap. Does this mean that Egypt also (along with other Arab countries in the area) feels that Israel is at fault for everthing that is happening in the region? Seems to me that Egypt would be crying foul to the Hezbolla for the poor shot, however, the non response makes me think that maybe they are “closet” supporters of the Hezbolla folks.
Yes, I find it quite interesting that there were no words of condemnation from Egypt for the sinking of their ship. On the surface it means two things, either Egypt is a closet supporter of Hezbollah and don’t wish to condemn them or they don’t believe that Hezbollah fired the missile.
Most recent readings reveal that Saudi Arabia and Egypt, both, are back peddling in their “quazi” condemnation of Hezballah, rather stating that Israel’s “continued aggression” threatens the entire mid east with a broader war. Whats up with this? Ray Charles could see that this whole mess has been brought on by 1st – Hamas and 2nd – Hezballah. These guys made the first moves, not Israel. Very courageous people hiding behind the skirts of mom and the kids.
The recent revelation of the aformentioned governments suggest to me that these folks are not so unlike many of our politicians by talking out both sides of their mouths. I believe that they fear the potential of pissing off the populus of the arab world (general public) and get caught with their pants down. Maybe what should be done (should have been done long ago) is for these governments to “re condition the public into understanding the cowardice of what Hezballah is doing rather than blaming Israel for blasting their positions (even after giving plenty of notice to get the hell out before the vollies come into the areas where Hezballah missles are being fired from).
I have to admit, in past years- I used to say that our concentration on good relations should be geared toward the Arab countries; they have the oil and Israel is being—well, Israel. However, the situation and ignorance shown by many arab nations lately has turned my thoughts. My biggest fear is that All the arabs (hell why not Iran too) will turn on us while we are holding our dicks in the middle of iraq. Literally in the middle of all the mess!! Thanks for letting me vent. jrm