India has reportedly been exporting weapons and military equipment to Israel amid the ongoing war in Gaza.
Leaked documents seen by Al Jazeera revealed that a cargo vessel that stopped off the Spanish coast contained more than 30 tons of rockets and explosives for the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).
The ship allegedly departed southeast India and was en route to the port of Ashdod, some 30 kilometers (18 miles) from the war-torn Gaza Strip.
It also circumnavigated Africa to avoid persistent Houthi attacks in the Red Sea.
According to the Middle East news outlet, a paragraph in the classified documents specified that all people involved in the shipment should “under no circumstances” name Israel or Elbit Systems subsidiary IMI Systems.
Exporting weapons to Jerusalem amid the Gaza war has sparked controversy as concerns mount that the IDF is using them in violation of international law.
More than 37,000 people have reportedly been killed in the Palestinian territory due to Israel’s relentless ground and air campaign in response to the October 7 Hamas attack.
Saw It Coming
When the cargo vessel stopped off the Spanish coast, protesters at a nearby port waved Palestinian flags as they suspected it was carrying Israel-bound weapons.
They also called on authorities to inspect the ship.
Furthermore, a group of leftist politicians sent Spanish President Pedro Sánchez a letter requesting that the ship be prevented from docking.
“Allowing a ship loaded with weapons destined for Israel is to allow the transit of arms to a country currently under investigation for genocide against the Palestinian people,” they said.
The manager of the ship denied that the vessel was carrying any cargo for Israel.
A separate report also accused India of shipping advanced Hermes 900 drones and other weaponry to Israel.
‘Out of Gratitude’
Former Israeli ambassador to India Daniel Carmon said New Delhi’s decision to send weapons to Jerusalem may just be a way to “return the favor.”
He explained that Israel also provided India with military supplies and equipment during its war with Pakistan in 1999.
“The Indians always remind us that Israel was there for them during the Kargil war,” he said. “Israel was one of the few countries that stood by them and provided them with weapons.”
