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[[Category:Naval battles]] |
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[[Category:Massacres]] |
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[[Category:Israel–Turkey relations]] |
[[Category:Israel–Turkey relations]] |
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[[Category:Israel – United States relations]] |
[[Category:Israel – United States relations]] |
Revision as of 09:22, 31 May 2010
Gaza flotilla clash | |
---|---|
Israeli IDF soldiers wield automatic weapons aboard the Turkish vessel MV Marmara Israeli commandos aboard the MV Mavi Marmara | |
Location | International waters off the coast of the Gaza Strip |
Date | May 31, 2010UTC+3) | (
Attack type | Boarding of humanitarian aid flotilla |
Deaths | at least 10 activists |
Injured | at least 60 activists injured; 2 IDF soldiers injured |
Perpetrators | Israel Defense Forces; Free Gaza Movement activists |
The Gaza flotilla clash occurred on 31 May 2010 after Israeli naval forces boarded a flotilla of ships operated by the Free Gaza Movement, a pro-Palestinian activist group with "ties to global Jihad, al-Quaeda and [[Hamas]",[1] which was seeking to break through Israel's Gaza blockade. At least ten activists were killed; six Israeli soldiers and several dozen activist were wounded. Unofficial reports put the death toll at 14-20.[2] One of those injured was Israeli Islamic movement head Raed Salah.[3]
Warnings
The six-ship flotilla, including Turkish and American flagged ships,[4] began the journey on 30 May 2010 from Cyprus.[5] The Israeli Navy made initial contact with the flotilla at 11 p.m. on the previous day about 200 kilometres (120 mi) offshore in international waters, ordering the ships to follow them to port or otherwise be boarded.[6] Activists aboard the ships repeatedly said they would not respond with violence to the navy's interception of their flotilla prior to the boarding.[7]
The Israeli navy contacted the captain of the Mavi Marmara, asking him to identify himself and say where the ship was headed. Shortly after, two Israeli naval vessels flanked the flotilla on either side, but at a distance.[8]
The flotilla attempted to slow and change course in order to delay a confrontation until daylight, so that it could be better filmed.[9]
Boarding
Israeli soldiers boarded the ship in international waters 80 miles off the Gaza coast.[9] Footage from the flotilla's lead vessel, the MV Mavi Marmara, showed armed Israeli soldiers boarding the ship from helicopters flying overhead. Al Jazeera's journalist Jamal Elshayyal sent the footage before the communication was cut off.[8]
Turkish television footage showed activists beating one Israeli soldier with sticks as he rappelled from a helicopter onto one of the boats.[10]
Clash
According to Israeli sources, activists armed with knives, bats and metal pipes resisted the soldiers.[7] According to the Israeli military, a soldier was seriously injured during the raid after being stabbed.[11] Passengers claim that Israeli soldiers fired upon ship delivering aid.[12]
The Israeli army said passengers opened fire on the commandos and also attacked them with knives and clubs, according to an e-mailed statement. The statement said one of the weapons used was grabbed from an Israeli soldier.[13] This differs from accounts given by the flotilla's participants that states the ships were attacked with tear gas and live ammunition. A statement made by the organization that organized the flotilla, Free Gaza, claims: "Israeli spin is that THEY were attacked first. Of course, you can see the video where they rappel, aim and shoot at civilians sleeping."[14][self-published source?] Released video however showed Israeli soldiers rapelling down onto the vessels and being immediately beaten with clubs by the passengers.[15]
Casualties
Early reports indicated that at least 10 activists had been killed by live fire from Israeli forces, with unofficial reports putting the death toll at between 14-20 and another 60 wounded. Israeli casualties were stated to be two wounded.[2]
Reaction
In Turkey, hundreds of protesters tried to storm the Israeli consulate in Istanbul. A Turkish foreign ministry statement condemned Israel,[9] and the country was reported to have summoned the Israeli ambassador to lodge a protest.[8]
The European Union has called for an independent investigation into the events.[16]
The Syrian government has called a meeting of the Arab League to discuss the attack.[16]
The Kuwaiti parliament has called an emergency session to discuss the attack.[16]
Spain has summoned the Israeli ambassador for questioning.[16]
Saad Hariri, the Prime Minister of Lebanon, said, "The Israeli attack on the aid convoy is a dangerous and crazy step that will exacerbate tensions in the region. Lebanon firmly denounces this attack and calls on the international community, notably major powers... to take action in order to end this continued violation of human rights and threat to international peace."[16]
Mahmoud Abbas said that "Israel has committed a massacre".[17] Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said, "We call on all Arabs and Muslims to rise up in front of Zionist embassies across the whole world".[18]
French Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Bernard Kouchner was "profoundly shocked" by the incident and demanded an inquiry. Kouchner stated, "Nothing can justify the use of violence such as this, which we condemn." [19]
Sweden summoned the Israeli ambassador, Benny Dagan, to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.[20] Foreign Affairs Secretary Frank Belfrage called the incident "unacceptable".[20]
References
- ^ "Israel: Gaza ship is 'outrageous provocation'". BBC Online (in English). United Kingdom: BBC News. 31 May 2010. Retrieved 31 May 2010.
{{cite news}}
: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link) - ^ a b "At least 10 activists killed in Israel Navy clashes onboard Gaza aid flotilla". Haaretz. 2010-05-31.
- ^ [ http://www.jpost.com/Headlines/Article.aspx?id=176981 Islamic Movement leader Salaach injured in flotilla clashes], Jerusalem Post
- ^ Charalambous, Charlie (2010-05-29). "Gaza: la flottille internationale déterminée, Israël menace". AFP.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|url2=
ignored (help) - ^ Cite error: The named reference
Haaretz-at least
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Yaakov Katz (2010-05-31). "Gaza flotilla changes course". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 2010-05-31.
- ^ a b "Up to 16 killed as Israeli forces storm aid convoy". ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). 2010-05-31. Retrieved 2010-05-31.
- ^ a b c "Israel attacks Gaza aid fleet". Al Jazeera English. 2010-05-31. Retrieved 2010-05-31.
- ^ a b c Spencer, Richard (2010-05-31). "At least 16 dead as Israeli troops storm Gaza aid flotilla". Telegraph. Retrieved 2010-05-31.
- ^ [1]
- ^ "Casualties reported during IDF raid on Gaza sail". Ynetnews. 1995-06-20. Retrieved 2010-05-31.
- ^ "Gaza flotilla: 2 dead, dozens injured in navy boarding". Ynetnews.
- ^ http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aW7Yb.cMMjsU&pos=8
- ^ "twitter update". Free Gaza twitter updates on the attack.
- ^ Edmund Sanders (2010-05-31). "At least 10 die as Israel halts aid flotilla". Los Angelos Times. Retrieved 2010-05-31.
- ^ a b c d e Carlstrom, Gregg (31 May 2010). "Aftermath of Israel's attack on Gaza flotilla". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 31 May 2010.
- ^ Abbas: Israel has committed a massacre on the Gaza flotilla
- ^ "At least 10 dead as Israel forces storm Gaza aid boat". Dawn. 31 May 2010. Retrieved 31 May 2010.
- ^ FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTER KOUCHNER SAYS "PROFOUNDLY SHOCKED"
- ^ a b Hökerberg, Josefine (31 May 2010). "En mycket allvarlig situation". Aftonbladet. Retrieved 31 May 2010.
{{cite web}}
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