Thaindian News

JERUSALEM (BNO NEWS) — At least 10 people were killed and scores of others were left injured after Israeli ships clashed with six ships carrying pro-Palestinian activists and what organizers say is aid for Gaza, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said on Monday.

According to the IDF, the Israel Navy requested the ships to redirect toward the Israeli port of Ashdod where they would be able to unload their aid supplies which would then be transferred over land after undergoing security inspections.

During the boarding of the ships, “the demonstrators onboard attacked the IDF Naval personnel with live fire and light weaponry including knives and clubs,” the IDF said. “Activists grabbed at least one assault weapon from an IDF soldier.”

“As a result of this life-threatening and violent activity, naval forces employed riot dispersal means, including live fire,” the IDF added.

During the clash, over 10 activists were killed and at least 10 naval personnel were injured, some from gunfire, an Israeli spokesperson told BBC World News.

Video footage from one of the boats, broadcast on CNN Turk, showed activists attacking Israeli soldiers with metal pipes.

Israel said the ships raised suspicion because they refused to be inspected for weapons. Israel also said they had offered alternatives, such as transferring the supplies via ground borders, but organizers refused.

Israel regularly sends humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. Earlier this month, between May 16 and May 22, Israel transferred a total of 13,517 tons of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip via various border crossings.

The ships are carrying pro-Palestinian activists, including a Nobel laureate and a Holocaust survivor. A second ‘wave’ of two ships was expected on Monday afternoon, but it was not immediately clear if they would still proceed as scheduled after Monday’s incident.

INTERNATIONAL REACTION

– Turkish media reported that the country’s Foreign Ministry has recalled its ambassador to Jerusalem. Turkey canceled military drills with Israel. The country also called for an emergency UN meeting. Dozens of angry protesters tried to storm the Israeli Consulate in Istanbul while shouting “damn Israel.”

– Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas ordered three days of mourning after the deadly clashes at sea, according to Israeli media.

– UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for a full investigation on the incident after condemning the killings.

– Jordan condemned the Israeli raid and summoned the Israeli charge d’affaires in Amman.

– Iran condemned the Israel Navy clashes onboard the ship carrying pro-Palestinian activists, calling the regime in Tel Aviv a threat to global peace and security, according to state-run Press TV.

– The Spanish Ministry for Foreign Affairs on Monday summoned the Israeli ambassador to Spain, Rafael Schutz, after the “unacceptable” and “very serious” events, the Madrid-based EFE Newswire service reported.

– The Greek FM said that the visit of the Israeli Joint Chiefs is being postponed and military drills with Israel canceled, CNN reported. The country summoned the Israeli ambassador in Athens.