Defense Middle East
On Gaza Sail
Gaza flotilla ships transported to Ashdod
IDF Spokesperson’s Office says fighters who raided vessels headed to Gaza ‘attacked with clubs, long knives.’
IDF response on actions of soldiers on Gaza flotilla “They were attacked with severe physical violence including live fire, bold weapons, knifes and clubs that were prepared in advance. one of the weapons was abducted from the soldiers and was used against them. Initial reports from the incident it appears that more than 10 participant of the flotilla were killed, and additional ones injured. 4 soldiers were wounded, some from live fire, some moderate and some light. all the injured foreign and Israeli are helicoptered from the city to hospitals in Israel.
Testimonies of the soldier – the members of the flotilla were prepared to lynch or to attack the solider in mobs the moment they landed on the boat. The incident is still ongoing…The commander of the navy is commanding the operation from the sea. Currently into the next few hours the boats are directed to the Ashdod port. They will go through a security inspection in order to inspect the people and the equipment they are carrying. It is important to emphasize that the Israeli navy is working in accordance with the Israeli government. taking over the ships was only done after many attempts and appeals to government, organizations and the organizers of the flotilla, before they left the port and during – it was made clear to them that they can dock in Ashdod, only when they continued to refuse, they were intercepted”
Rambam Hospital officials report that it has received IDF soldiers with stab wounds from the Gaza flotilla battle .
Arutz Sheva : Israel National News reports that militants aboard the flotilla opened fire on the Israeli soldiers.
The IDF reports that the crew of the Gaza-bound flotilla lay in wait for the IDF to board their vessel and then attacked IDF soldiers. One crew member reportedly snatched a gun from an IDF soldier and then opened fire on the troops. One soldier was stabbed in the stomach with a sharp object. The soldier is in moderate condition and was transferred for medical treatment by helicopter to Rambam Hospital in Haifa. Doctors there determined he would require surgery. Two other soldiers were also wounded and were transferred to Tel Hashomer hospital.
The IDF searched the boats for arms immediately after the takeover. The soldiers were forced to use tear gas after they were attacked with knives, daggers and cudgels, putting their lives in danger. Unofficial reports that ten persons have been killed and another ten wounded were admitted to Rambam Hospital in Haifa were changed by the Arab television station Al Jazeera, to two killed and four wounded. An Al Jazeera reporter on one of the boats reported hearing gunshots.
