Malaysia detained three more containers bound for Israel at one of the country's major ports, according to people familiar with the matter cited by Bloomberg on Monday, signaling increased scrutiny of shipments bound for Israel.

Malaysia detained three more containers bound for Israel at one of the country's major ports, according to people familiar with the matter cited by Bloomberg on Monday, signaling increased scrutiny of shipments bound for Israel.

The three containers were stopped at Tanjung Phelps port on August 19 and remained at the port while authorities investigated their contents, the sources said.

The latest arrests came less than two weeks after Malaysian authorities detained another container in Tanjung Phelps on August 7 on suspicion of exporting to Israel.

Bloomberg reported that the previous shipment originated in the Philippines and was suspected of containing weapons because it was addressed to Elbit Systems, an Israeli defense technology company. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim praised the initial concept and said that Malaysia will not allow its territory to become a transit route for trade that can support Israel.