Weapons seizure sign of Hezbollah tensions

BEIRUT, Lebanon, Nov. 9 (UPI) -- The crew of the vessel allegedly carrying weapons to Hezbollah is under interrogation in Beirut as the resistance movement braces for an Israeli assault.

The Israeli military claimed it unloaded 36 containers of weapons at the Israeli port of Ashdod last week. Israel claims the weapons were destined for Hezbollah militants.

Iran, Syria and Hezbollah denied the allegations. Damascus said the cargo was Syrian goods headed for Iranian markets.

Sources in the Lebanese military told the Daily Star the ship entered Lebanese waters Friday afternoon and its crew were held for questioning.

"Military intelligence began interrogating the crew on the motives for the seizure of the vessel while the concerned authorities will take all the necessary measures to ensure that it does not carry banned goods," a military statement read.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah commanders tell London's Guardian newspaper the resistance movement is preparing for renewed conflict with Israel.

Israel fought Hezbollah in a bruising 34-day offensive in 2006. Many of the outposts for Hezbollah fighters were destroyed, and commanders say the group is busy rearming for possible conflict.

"Sure, we are rearming, we have even said that we have far more rockets and missiles than we did in 2006," the commander said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Border tensions between Lebanon and Israel escalated during the summer with both sides blaming the other for the anxiety. The commander said Hezbollah expects Israel to attack within months.

"We expect the Israelis to come soon, if not this winter, then they will wait until spring, when the ground isn't too soft for their tanks," he said.