Gaza Flotilla Updates

I am posting updated links here for those who wish to follow. Top post will be the most recent. Yosef

I will be switching back to regular posts after this final Youtube.This one in particular is going to cause positions to be lost. How can you drop your chayalim one by one into a situation like this?






idfnadesk — May 31, 2010 — Early this morning, IDF Naval Forces boarded six ships attempting to break the maritime closure of the Gaza Strip. This happened after numerous warnings from Israel and the Israeli Navy that were issued prior to the action. The Israel Navy requested the ships to redirect toward Ashdod where they would be able to unload their aid supplies which would then be transferred over land after undergoing security inspections.

During the boarding of the ships, the demonstrators onboard attacked the IDF Naval personnel with live fire and light weaponry including knives and clubs. Additionally one of the weapons used was grabbed from an IDF soldier. The demonstrators had clearly prepared their weapons in advance for this specific purpose.

As a result of this life-threatening and violent activity, naval forces employed riot dispersal means, including live fire.

According to initial reports, these events resulted in over ten deaths among the demonstrators and numerous injured, in addition, more than four naval personnel were injured, some from gunfire and some from various other weapons. Two of the soldiers are moderately wounded and the remainder sustained light injuries. All of the injured, Israelis and foreigners are currently being evacuated by helicopter to hospitals in Israel.

Reports from IDF forces on the scene are that it seems as if part of the participants onboard the ships were planning to lynch the forces.
The interception of the flotilla followed numerous warnings given to the organizers of the flotilla before leaving their ports as well as while sailing towards the Gaza Strip. In these warnings, it was made clear to the organizers that they could dock in the Ashdod sea port and unload the equipment they are carrying in order to deliver it to the Gaza Strip in an orderly manner, following the appropriate security checks. Upon expressing their unwillingness to cooperate and arrive at the port, it was decided to board the ships and lead them to Ashdod.

IDF naval personnel encountered severe violence, including use of weaponry prepared in advance in order to attack and to harm them. The forces operated in adherence with operational commands and took all necessary actions in order to avoid violence, but to no avail.


JPost: At least 15 activists dead, dozens hurt in flotilla clashes.IDF says soldiers were met by well-planned lynch, concealed handguns, knives, bats, metal pipes in Gaza flotilla raid; 5 Navy commandos wounded; Al Jazeera broadcasts footage. 12:56 P.M.

IDF Spokesperson: 5 soldiers injured during flotilla mission - 2 severely and 3 moderately. 12:35 PM

Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center Portrait of IHH:IHH, which plays a central role in organizing the flotilla to the Gaza Strip, is a Turkish humanitarian relief fund with a radical Islamic anti-Western orientation. Besides its legitimate philanthropic activities, it supports radical Islamic networks, including Hamas, and at least in the past, even global jihad elements.

Richard Landes/Shmuel Rosner:First Thoughts on Gaza Flotilla 12:27 P.M.

IMRA: Int’l Law Expert Dr.Robbie Sabel: IDF action in international waters legal IMRA asked Hebrew University international law expert Dr. Robbie Sabel about the legality of the IDF action in international waters. 12:01 P.M.

IMRA: IDF Spokesperson Announcement Pistols Found on Flotilla Activists 11:43 A.M.

IMRA: (GPO 2) DFM AYALON'S 10:30 PRESS CONF. MAY BE VIEWED LIVE ON IBA WEBSITE:
www.iba.org.il/media/?liveTv=yes&starting=Channel_1 11:00 A.M.
(COMM BY GPO)

Ynet:Gaza flotilla ships transported to Ashdod. IDF spokesperson says fighters who raided vessels headed to Gaza 'attacked with clubs, long knives.' Army reports more than 10 passengers killed in operation. Dozens injured, including four soldiers 10:51 A.M.

IMRA: IDF Spokesperson Announcement: IDF Forces Met with Pre-Planned Violence when attempting to Board Flotilla

IMRA: IDF: Soldiers were met by well-planned lynch six Navy commandos wounded
Upon boarding the ships, the soldiers encountered fierce resistance from the
passangers who were armed with knives, bats and metal pipes. The soldiers
used non-lethal measures to disperse the crowd. The activists succeeded in
stealing the weapon from one of the IDF’s soldiers and reportedly opened
fire, leading to an escalation in violence.

IMRA: DFM AYALON TO HOLD 10:30 PRESS CONF ON GAZA FLOTILLA
http://switch5.castup.net/frames/mfa_live_archive/video.asp?



idfnadesk — May 30, 2010 — The Israeli Navy addresses a ship nearing the Gaza shore , offering it to dock at the Ashdod Port and transfer its supplies under the ship's crew's supervision. The ship refused to comply.

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