Israel Defense Forces:
Gaza Flotilla Incident

(May 31, 2010)

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On the morning of May 31, 2010, IDF naval forces intercepted six ships attempting to break the naval blockade of the Gaza Strip.

After numerous warnings issued by Israel prior to the action, the Navy requested for the ships to redirect toward Ashdod where they could unload their material which would then be transferred via land crossing to Gaza after undergoing proper security inspections.

When the vessels refused to alter their course, teams of elite naval commandos were tasked with ovetraking the ships. During the boarding of the lead ship, the Mavi Marmara, demonstrators onboard attacked the IDF personnel with live fire, light weaponry, knives and clubs. Additionally, two weapons were grabbed from an IDF soldier and used against him.

As a result of the violence, seven soldiers were wounded and nine Turkish "activist" were killed.

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