The "Shield" warship was delivered to Israel
Israel has acquired its most advanced warship yet, as tensions with Iran escalate. The German-built Shield, which docked in Haifa on Wednesday evening, has been dubbed a bulwark to protect vulnerable gas platforms in the Mediterranean.
On Wednesday, December 2, Israel took delivery of its most modern warship, ordered from Germany. Reuters reported: “The frigate was delivered to Tel Aviv as tensions with Tehran escalated over the killing of an Iranian nuclear expert.”
Reuters added that the warship is docked in the port of Haifa, and three other similar models are scheduled to join the Israeli Navy next year. With the delivery of this frigate and the next three, the "Saar-6" fleet will be completed and the ability of the Israeli Navy's missile boats to carry out missions further afield in the Red Sea will be increased.
Israel is seeking to protect its natural gas fields near Lebanon, Reuters reports, as US-brokered talks to settle maritime borders with the old foe have failed.
At the ceremony to discover these gas fields in Haifa, the Israeli President said that a series of protective measures are necessary in this regard.
According to Reuters, Israel fears that Lebanon's Hezbollah will carry out a harassing operation against the country's gas platforms, following threats from Islamic Republic officials in retaliation for the killing of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh.
The news agency quoted an Israeli security official as saying: "The Iranians are looking for measures to restore prestige with low casualties and limited scope, but the question is whether Hezbollah will take action now."
Although Hezbollah had previously threatened Israel with attacks on gas platforms, it said that Iran itself should respond to Fakhrizadeh's killing. Beirut called on both sides to exercise calm and restraint.
Iran has accused Israel of involvement in the killing of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh. Tel Aviv has neither denied nor confirmed this accusation.
Source: DW
