Israel soldiers kill protesters trying to break Gaza blockade - Reporting from Jerusalem — — Israeli naval ships seized control of a protest flotilla carrying humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip on Monday, killing at least 10 people and sparking widespread international condemnation. Israeli television, citing foreign media reports, said the death toll could be as high as 16. "The images are certainly not pleasant. I can only voice regret at all the fatalities," Trade and Industry Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer told Israel's Army Radio. The raid set off a storm of international protest and drew condemnations from leaders of Spain, Sweden, France, Germany, the U.N., the European Union and Arab League. But after some initial expressions of regret, Israeli officials Monday came out strongly in defense of the raid, characterizing the protesters as hard-core extremists who had prepared an ambush for soldiers.
Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon called the flotilla an "armada of hate and violence" that launched a "premeditated and outrageous provocation. " Free Gaza Movement (freegazaorg) IHH Insani Yardim Vakfi - live streaming video powered by Livest. Israeli commandos: Gaza flotilla crew tried to lynch us - Haaret.
WitnessGAZA - Join us live as a witness in Gaza. Participants say Gaza flotilla approached by Israeli ships - CNN. Hamas marine security take to the waters off Gaza City port on May 28 ahead of the expected flotilla. NEW: Israeli navy contacts ships approaching, Gaza flotilla organization saysNEW: Flotilla participants say they see three Israeli navy ships on radarIsraeli naval missile boats left Haifa naval base to intercept flotilla earlierTwo pro-Palestinian groups aim to deliver tons of food and other aid, defy Israeli blockade (CNN) -- A convoy of boats carrying food and aid to the Palestinian territory of Gaza in defiance of an Israeli blockade is being shadowed by three Israeli warships, according to one organization participating in the flotilla.
At least one of the six boats in the flotilla have also been contacted by Israel Defense Forces radio, the Free Gaza organization reported on its Twitter page. "We didn't expect them now," said one tweet about 11 p.m. (4 p.m. ET), adding the participants thought Israeli forces would arrive Monday morning. "We are determined. Washington DC demands safe passage for the Gaza Freedom Flotilla. Pictures from the Challenger 1, 30th May 2010.mov.
Gaza flotilla drives Israel into a sea of stupidity - Haaretz Da. Cindy and Craig Corrie, US. Israel vows to halt flotilla aiming to break blockade - Middle E. Naval vessels were expected to confront the flotilla of cargo and passenger ships later today with the intention of diverting it to the Israeli port of Ashdod and away from its intended destination of Hamas-controlled Gaza. The flotilla is the largest attempt yet to circumvent the three-year-old Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip. While the Israeli authorities have indicated they want to minimise the risk of violence, Israeli media reported yesterday that they are prepared to take over the vessels by force if they ignore warnings not to cross from international waters into a 20 mile exclusion zone enforced by Israel along Gaza's coast. Israel has previously said that if the flotilla agreed to head for the port of Ashdod it would send the aid supplies on to Gaza. Ordinarily, supplies to the Gaza strip are subject to a strict blockade that excludes most commercial goods, although those conditions would not necessarily apply to the flotilla.
What's allowed into Gaza... Gaza hopes to welcome blockade-busting flotilla. 29 May 2010Last updated at 16:56 By Jon Donnison BBC News, Gaza City Jon Donnison reports on the flotilla's progress Preparations are under way in Gaza to receive a convoy of ships that is trying to break Israel's economic blockade of the Palestinian territory. The ships, carrying up to 10,000 tonnes of aid and human rights activists from around the world, will try to reach Gaza on Sunday.
Israel is adamant it will not allow them into Gaza. The blockade was tightened in 2007 after the Islamist movement Hamas took power in Gaza. Over the past decade Hamas has fired thousands of rockets into Israel. 'Cheap stunt' At the main port in Gaza City Hamas are preparing a welcoming party with marquees and a buffet to greet the 600-odd human rights activists on board the flotilla of ships.
All the signs are, though, that they will not be allowed to set foot on dry land in Gaza. Israelis have vowed to stop the ships It says the boats will be diverted to the nearby Israeli city of Ashdod. More Than 10 Dead After Israel Intercepts Gaza Aid Convoy - WSJ.