Israel Strikes at Aid Flotilla, Killing 9 (Update: Security Council)
Activists trying to bring humanitarian aid to the blockaded Gaza Strip ran afoul of the Israeli military on Sunday Shots were fired after masked Israeli gunmen descended from helicopters hovering over the flotilla as it made its way through international watersShots were fired after masked Israeli gunmen <a href="http://www.
Update:
An earlier report of 16 casualties was based on radio reports shortly after the incident. Media outlets, including Haaretz, are reporting the military’s tally of nine activists killed.
Update 2: The U.N. Security Council held an emergency meeting called by Turkey to discuss the raid. More from: CNN, Haaretz
Earlier:
Activists trying to bring humanitarian aid to the blockaded Gaza Strip ran afoul of the Israeli military on Sunday. Shots were fired after masked Israeli gunmen descended from helicopters hovering over the flotilla as it made its way through international waters.
An Israeli radio station reported that 14 to 16 civilians were dead. (Latest reports say nine were killed).
Al Jazeera, which had a reporter on the lead ship, showed activists using sticks to fight commandos.
Life on the “freedom flotilla” earlier today:
Dig, Root, GrowThe Telegraph:
The activists were not carrying guns, but television footage shown by al-Jazeera and Turkish television channels show hand-to-hand fighting, with activists wearing life-jackets striking commandoes with sticks.
The Israeli army said its troops were assaulted with axes and knives.
The television footage did not show firing but shots could be heard in the background. One man was shown lying unconscious on the deck, while another man was helped away.
A woman wearing hijab, the Muslim headscarf, was seen carrying a stretcher covered in blood.
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Activism
The mission is sponsored by the Freedom Flotilla in a symbolic effort to break Israel's blockade of food and aid to the Strip.
Editorial Cartoons
Wounds of War
With over 70,000 children hospitalized for malnutrition, Israel's blockade on the Strip has left parents to watch helplessly as their children waste away.
Middle East
Palestinians gather with surviving family members to observe the holiday in the rubble, even as Israel prevents the flow of food into the Strip.
Hunger, sickness, terror, despair and Israeli military violence routinely afflict and kill the entrapped people of Gaza. The new film “Killing Gaza” explains in heartbreaking detail why Palestinians have been risking their lives during seven weeks of nonviolent protests.
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