31 May 2010

Jerusalem Post: Israeli Navy vs Gaza Activists: 15 Dead, Dozens Injured



The Israeli Navy first reported sighting the pro-Palestinian, so-called "Freedom Flotilla" bound for the Gaza Strip late Sunday night.  Israeli Navy vessels spotted and made radio contact with the Gaza aid ships approx. 200 km off the Palestinian enclave's coast, according to The Jerusalem Post. The convoy were asked to follow the navy boats to dock at Ashdod port near Tel Aviv, or else the Israeli Navy would board the activists' ships, said the report.

Upon attempting to board the six ships -who ignored repeated warnings to steer to an Israeli port-  the sailors were met with pre-planned violence including exchanges of gunfire from the ships, according to the Israeli Navy. The Jerusalem Post now reports this foolish act of aggression resulted in 15 activists dead and dozens injured in the ensuing battle... five Israeli sailors were injured by the well-orchestrated ambush. It's hard to fathom just what the occupants of this Turkish-sponsored ship were thinking attacking Israeli commandos with small arms and truncheons, and thus the one-sided result.

The Gaza aid ships set sail on Sunday from the Mediterranean international waters near Cyprus and headed to the besieged territory amid tension due to Israel's threats to block the convoy. The six-vessel, pro-palestinian flotilla, as much a publicity stunt as an aid shipment, carried more than 10,000 tons of aid, stationery, medical supplies and construction materials as well as hundreds of peace activists from 40+ countries.

Israel imposes a tight blockade on the coastal enclave since the Islamic Hamas movement forcibly seized the territory in 2007 after routing rival Fatah party, now in charge of the West Bank territory.

More updates here today at Reaganite Republican... latest video -here-



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