(no subject)

[la_vie_noire]

Israel attacks Gaza aid fleet

Israeli forces have attacked a flotilla of aid-carrying ships aiming to break the country's siege on Gaza.

At least 19 people were killed and dozens injured when troops intercepted the convoy of ships dubbed the Freedom Flotilla early on Monday, Israeli radio reported.

The flotilla was attacked in international waters, 65km off the Gaza coast.

Avital Leibovich, an Israeli military spokeswoman, confirmed that the attack took place in international waters, saying: "This happened in waters outside of Israeli territory, but we have the right to defend ourselves."

Footage from the flotilla's lead vessel, the Mavi Marmara, showed armed Israeli soldiers boarding the ship and helicopters flying overhead.

The Israeli military said four soldiers had been wounded and claimed troops opened fire after "demonstrators onboard attacked the IDF Naval personnel with live fire and light weaponry including knives and clubs".

Free Gaza Movement, the organisers of the flotilla, however, said the troops opened fire as soon as they stormed the convoy.

Our correspondent said that a white surrender flag was raised from the ship and there was no live fire coming from the passengers.

Before losing communication with our correspondent, a voice in Hebrew was clearly heard saying: "Everyone shut up".

Al Jazeera Live Coverage.

ETA: the_future_modernes just shared some more links at the comments:

Why Did Israel Attack the Gaza Flotilla?

According to the Israeli human rights group Gisha.org, items barred from Gaza by the blockade include:

“sage, cardamom, cumin, coriander, ginger, jam, halva, vinegar, nutmeg, chocolate, fruit preserves, seeds and nuts, biscuits and sweets, potato chips, gas for soft drinks, dried fruit, fresh meat, plaster, tar, wood for construction, cement, iron, glucose, industrial salt, plastic/glass/metal containers, industrial margarine, tarpaulin, sheets for huts, fabric (for clothing), flavor and smell enhancers, fishing rods, various fishing nets, buoys, ropes for fishing, nylon nets for greenhouses, hatcheries and spare parts for hatcheries, spare parts for tractors, dairies for cowsheds, irrigation pipe systems, ropes to tie greenhouses planters for saplings, heaters for chicken farms, musical instruments, size A4 paper, writing implements, notebooks, newspapers, toys, razors, sewing machines and spare parts, heaters, horses, donkeys, goats, cattle, and chicks”

Fucking shit.

Blockading Gaza is clear violation of Geneva conventions

And, borrowing the_future_modernes words: Turkey is so pissed it will be sending in more supply ships, escorted by their navy.

MENA: Rage after Israel Attacks Gaza-bound Flotilla .

On background:

Difficult Times Call for Dangerous Jobs.

And Not a Drop to Drink for Palestinians.

And an analysis on what could happen: Killings Could Boomerang on Israel.

If the purpose of the activists is indeed to further international demands for an end to Israel's siege policy on Gaza, that may be the actual outcome of the bloody confrontation aboard the Marmara.

But, should they seek to exploit the Israeli sea assault as a way of undermining Israel's legitimacy, and shift the focus away from the illegitimacy of the continued occupation of the Palestinians, that could backfire.

A new wave of bloody conflict between Israelis and Palestinians may then, regrettably, be the only tangible result.

Comments

more on the gaza clusterfuck

[the_future_modernes]

Why Did Israel Attack the Gaza Flotilla?


Blockading Gaza is clear violation of Geneva conventions

Turkey is so pissed it will be sending in more supply ships, escorted by their navy


and to make matters worse, when Israel attacked Turkey, it seems to have forgotten that Turkey is a NATO member. And this has consequences. The United States now finds itself between a rock and a very hard place indeed, with their antics in refusing to condemn the attack and everlasting support for Israel no matter the cost.

Re: more on the gaza clusterfuck

[la_vie_noire]

Àrg, thank you, I will update with the links.

Re: more on the gaza clusterfuck

[the_future_modernes]

the first link has info on what exactly is not allowed into Gaza, may i suggest that you excerpt that?

Re: more on the gaza clusterfuck

[the_future_modernes]

I also suggest that you link up Global Voices page on this here

Re: more on the gaza clusterfuck

[la_vie_noire]

Okay, thank you and doing as you suggested. :)

[the_future_modernes]

ore background: And Not a Drop to Drink for Palestinians


The Siege of Palestine and the Tunnel Workers

also analysis: Killings could boomerang on Israel or not. An intriguing bit of history thrown in.