Jerusalem- Israeli naval forces intercepted six ships attempting to break Israel's naval blockade of the Gaza Strip early this morning. During the intercept of the ships, the demonstrators onboard attacked the IDF Naval personnel with gunfire and light weaponry including knives and clubs.

In response, Israeli naval forces employed riot dispersal means, including live fire.

 

IDF forces apprehended two violent activists holding pistols. The violent activists took these pistols from Israeli soldiers and apparently opened fire.

 

According to initial reports, these events resulted in over ten deaths among the demonstrators and numerous wounded.

 

However, the Hamas terror organization stated that over twenty people were killed and that Israeli forces used "war jets" to fire on the ships.

 

Senior Hamas member Ismail Radwan called the firefight "state-sponsored organized terror" and requested that the international community "do something."

 

He also called on Israeli Arabs to riot in response to the firefight. "These are crimes against humanity and against our Palestinian people. We call on all members of the Arab and Muslim people to launch protests of rage in solidarity."

 

The Higher Arab Monitoring Committee, an Israeli-Arab organization,  has called for a general strike to begin tomorrow over the incident, which it termed a "massacre." Israeli-Arab politicians from various parties attended the meeting, including Knesset members Mohammad Barakeh, Afou Agbaria, Ibrahim Sarsur and Masud Ganaim.

 

"We must not remain silent in the face of such a crime… Responsibility lies solely on the State of Israel," said MK Sarsur.

 

More than fourteen Israeli servicemen were injured, some from gunfire and some from various other weapons. One Israeli is currently in critical condition. All casualties, Israelis and foreigners, are currently being evacuated by helicopter to hospitals in Israel.

 

The IDF spokesman's office issued a statement indicating that some of the participants onboard the ships were "planning to lynch the forces" sent to direct the convoy to the Israeli port at Ashdod north of the Gaza strip.

 

Israel offered this week to allow the transfer to Gaza of whatever humanitarian supplies the flotilla was carrying, an offer soundly rejected by Free Gaza Movement leader Greta Berlin. Israel transfers hundreds of tons of humanitarian supplies to Gaza on a daily basis through border crossings in the western Negev. During one previous attempt to break the Israeli blockade, a ship intercepted by Israeli naval forces was found with a hold empty of humanitarian supplies.

 

"In these warnings, it was made clear to the organizers that they could dock in the Ashdod sea port and unload the equipment they are carrying in order to deliver it to the Gaza Strip in an orderly manner, following the appropriate security checks. Upon expressing their unwillingness to cooperate and arrive at the port, it was decided to board the ships and lead them to Ashdod," said the IDF in a prepared statement.

 

The organizers of the flotilla have publically endorsed terrorism and violence, as previously reported by the 5 Towns Jewish Times.

 

"According to international law, people who are occupied have the right to resist and even [use] violent resistance,” said Dror Feiler, spokesman for Ship to Gaza of Sweden, a member of the coalition organizing the flotilla.

 

Feiler expressed his opposition to missile fire against targets in the western Negev, saying that it is “not moral” and that it is “not good for the resistance.” However, he did endorse violence against Israelis beyond the Green Line, saying that he has “nothing against resistance against the illegal occupation and the illegal settlements [and] developments in the West Bank.” Feiler is an Israeli citizen.

 

The Greek branch of Ship to Gaza expressed a similar opinion to that of Feiler regarding resistance. “Some forms of resistance should not be used,” said spokesman Vangelis Pissias, “but it’s not up to me to tell them how they will resist.” The Coalition to Break the Blockade on Gaza worked closely with Hamas, including the terror group's London leader Mohammad Sawalha, in organizing the flotilla.

 

Recorded chants of “Khaybar Khaybar ya yahud, jaish Mohammed saya'ud” were reported to be heard coming from the flotilla on Sunday.  The Arabic chant recalls Mohammed's slaughter of the Jews of the Arabian town of Khaybar in the seventh century.

 

Among the flotilla's passengers is the former Melkite Greek archbishop of Jerusalem, father Hilarion Capucci, who was arrested by Israeli authorities in 1974 for using his priestly limousine to smuggle explosives, firearms and katyusha rockets into Israel for the PLO. Capucci was later freed after an appeal from the Vatican.

 

It is not yet known if Cappuci had a role in bringing aboard the weapons used this morning against the Israeli sailors.

 

MK Hanin Zuabi of the Arab Balad party was also on board. She was reported lighted injured.

 

Several weeks ago the foreign ministry said that it would take legal action against any Israeli citizens found on the ships. “If Israeli citizens are found to be on the boats after all is over and done with, they will be dealt with according to Israeli law,” said foreign ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor.

 

Prime Minister Netanyahu, currently on a diplomatic visit to Canada, was woken during the night and is being kept informed of events as they happen.

 

Greece, Turkey and Spain, all of which have citizens aboard the ships,  each summoned their respective Israeli ambassadors over the incident.