Israeli Forces Board Free Gaza Flotilla

BBC
Israeli commandos intercepted Gaza-bound aid ships on Monday and at least 10 pro-Palestinian activists on board were killed in bloodshed that plunged Israel into a diplomatic crisis.
The convoy of six ships was organized by the Free Gaza Movement, an international group of pro-Palestinian activists, and led by a Turkish flagged cruise ship with 600 people on board. The flotilla set sail for Gaza from international waters off Cyprus on Sunday in defiance of an Israeli-led blockade of the territory.
Commandos boarded the ships in international waters overnight, supported by warships and helicopters. Israel says its forces only opened fire after passengers attacked them with axes and knives.
“Our young navy servicemen were given clear instructions to do the interception as quietly as possible, almost as a police action,” Israeli government spokesman Mark Regev said. “But when the interception started, our service men were attacked. We’ve got unfortunately 10 wounded on our side.”
The IDF says one of its weapons was stolen and used against its soldiers. Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon claims the Turkish-based aid group organizing the convoy has ties to terror groups including Al Qaeda. “They have a history of arms smuggling and deadly terror,” he said. “Onboard the ship, we found weapons prepared in advance and used against our forces. The organizers’ intent was violent, their method was violent and the results were unfortunately violent.” However the aid group, the Free Gaza Movement, has denied Israel’s claims of instigating the violence.
Most of the 1.5 million Palestinians living in Gaza rely on aid, blaming Israel for imposing restrictions on the amount and type of goods it allows into the territory. The UN and Western powers have urged Israel to ease its restrictions to prevent a humanitarian crisis. They have been urging Israel to let in concrete and steel to allow for post-war reconstruction. Israel denies there is a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, saying food, medicine and medical equipment are allowed in regularly. It says the restrictions are necessary to prevent weapons and materials that could be used to make them from reaching Hamas.
The European Union has called for an inquiry into the deaths aboard the aid ships and French President Nicolas Sarkozy accused Israel of a “disproportionate use of force” in its raid on the flotilla. The Arab League condemned Israel’s actions as a “terrorist act”, with its chief, Amr Moussa, calling for an emergency meeting of the 22-nation league to discuss the incident.
Israel is towing the ships to the port of Ashdod

Background on the Free Gaza Movement’s blockade breaking activities and IDF responses.

Posting anything that focuses on the Israeli/Palestinian conflict is sure to cause emotional responses from both sides of the issue. I make no claim to know what happened during the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) boarding and although I’ve reviewed images broadcast from the involved ships, I wasn’t there. Most reports, including the CNN footage, are very direct in their criticism of Israeli action, but again, I won’t comment on right and wrong.

That said, from the video you can see civilians on board the aid ships were prepared to repel the boarding, arming themselves with sticks, chairs, and similar items and also donning gas masks. Reporting indicates the IDF fast roped onto the ship over 40 NM from shore in international waters, where authority and jurisdiction could come into question. At least one soldier reportedly lost control of his weapon, which was then allegedly used by a civilian on board against him and his team.

Some lessons to take home. Never lose control of your weapon. Ensure use of force is covered in every pre-brief. If violence is reasonably expected, request authorization for additional less-lethal force options when dealing with protesters. Leave the media at the dock, but always expect cameras to be rolling.