Protesters attack with guns and knives, Israel Regrets 10 dead by bluepastry Blog entry

Blog: Blue Pastry
by bluepastry

Protesters attack with guns and knives, Israel Regrets 10 dead

Injured Evacuated to Israeli hospitals

Date: 6/1/2010 2:46:49 PM ( 14 y ) ... viewed 1650 times

Israel’s Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon said in a press conference on Monday (May 31) regarding the Turkish-led flotilla that:
"The armada of hate and violence in support of Hamas terror organization was a premeditated and outrageous provocation.
"The organizers are well known for their ties with global Jihad, al-Qaeda and Hamas. They have a history of arms smuggling and deadly terror.
"On board 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. Israel regrets any loss of life and did everything to avoid this outcome."[1]
Israel’s Defense Minister Ehud Barak expressed regret for loss of live, but said that the flotilla was a provocation sponsored by extremists who support a terrorist organization.[2]

At least seven Israeli soldiers were injures, two are in critical condition reportedly when protestors opened fire on them after stealing their weapons.[3] "Live fire was used against our forces. They initiated the violence, that's 100% clear," said Israeli Government Spokesman Mark Regev in an interview with the BBC.[4] Israeli soldiers were attacked by extremists with live ammunition, axes, metal rods and blunt instruments while trying to take control of six ships en route to Gaza. Audrey Bomse, a spokesperson for the Free Gaza movement, said in an interview with the BBC “I cannot say for sure if there were weapons on the ship

In 2005, Israel withdrew from all of Gaza. Israel relocated thousands of Israeli citizens and soldiers from Gaza in hopes that it would help jump-start the process towards a two state solution.[6] However, Iran-backed Hamas seized Gaza from the Palestinian Authority’s Fatah movement in a bloody coup and established its own government there in June 2007.[7] Since Israel’s withdrawal from the territory, Hamas has fired more than 6,500 rockets and mortars into Israel.[8]

Israel imposed a naval blockade on Gaza after Hamas violently overthrew Fatah in 2007.[9] Said Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs legal expert Sarah Weiss Maudi, "The Hamas regime has bombarded Israeli communities in Israel, Israeli civilians in Israel, with weapons that are smuggled to Gaza by various routes, and one of these routes is the sea. Under international law a maritime blockade is a recognized and legitimate tool that can be used during an armed conflict."[10]
Iran-backed Hamas continues to smuggle weapons into Gaza and uses building supplies delivered there to construct fortified bunkers.[11] Israel appealed to the convoy of ships – carrying more than 10,000 tons of humanitarian aid – to dock in Israel’s southern port of Ashdod so its humanitarian supplies can be delivered by Israel through the Gaza border crossing after they are checked for dangerous materials.[12]

Video: Navy Warns Flotilla that Boats are Entering Coastal Waters Under Naval Blockade, Ships Invited to Dock in Ashdod Where Aid can be Delivered to Gaza by Land Crossings

Israeli Government Spokesman Mark Regev released a statement on May 27: “They call themselves human rights activists, but they remain silent when it comes to Hamas' deliberate targeting of Israeli civilians and the brutalities of the Hamas regime in Gaza, which has crushed political opposition, suppressed independent media and has locked up hundreds of political opponents.”[13]
A statement issued by the IDF states that the people on board the ship had clearly prepared their weapons in advance for the purposes of attacking the Israeli forces.[14]

"We fully intend to go to Gaza regardless of any intimidation or threats of violence against us,” said flotilla organizer Huwaida Arraf. “They are going to have to forcefully stop us."[15]

At least 10 of the extremists aboard the ship were killed in the struggle between them and the IDF forces. [16]

The flotilla of ships which was trying to reach Gaza was organized by IHH (Insani Yardim Vakfi - “humanitarian relief fund”), a Turkish aid foundation which has ties to the Muslim Brotherhood, and Free Gaza, which describes itself as a human rights group.[17]
The IHH has known links to global jihadi networks, openly supports Iran-backed Hamas and maintains close ties with the Muslim Brotherhood movement, a global umbrella Islamic organization of which Hamas is a branch, as well as mujahideen groups in Afghanistan.[18]
Stats and Facts on Israeli Humanitarian Aid Transfers to Gaza
Unless otherwise indicated, all information is from “Behind the Headlines: The Israeli humanitarian lifeline to Gaza,” Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, May 25, 2010, http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/About+the+Ministry/Behind+the+Headlines/Israeli_hum...

1. Humanitarian Aid
In 2009, more than 738,000 tons of food and supplies entered Gaza. Pictures in local newspapers show local markets aplenty with fruit, vegetables, cheese, spices, bread and meat to feed 1.4 million Gazans. The total amount of aid transferred from Israel to Gaza in 2009 increased by 180 percent, compared to the amount transferred 2008.[19]

From Jan - May 8, 2010, 230,690 tons of humanitarian aid was transferred from Israel into Gaza through the Israel-Gaza goods crossings. This included medical supplies, milk powder and baby food, meat, chicken, fish, grains, legumes, oil, flour, salt, sugar, fresh vegetables and dairy products as well as animal feed, hygiene products and clothes.[20]

At holiday times, Israel increases transfers. During the Muslim holy days of Ramadan and Eid al-Adha, Israel shipped some 11,000 head of cattle into Gaza.
2. Maintaining Medical Aid for All in Need
The Medical Corridor:
In 2009 alone, 10,544 patients and their companions left the Gaza Strip for medical treatment in Israel. Moreover, there were 382 emergency evacuations from Gaza for medical purposes.

The Hadassah Medical Organization in Jerusalem donates $3 million in aid annually to treat Palestinians in Israel.

Following fears of a swine flu outbreak, three Israeli hospitals were assigned to treat cases in the Gaza Strip and 44,500 immunizations were transferred to the Strip.

Since 2005, Palestinians exploited medical care arrangements more than 20 times to carry out terror attacks.
Medical Equipment:
In 2009, some 4,883 tons of medical equipment and medicine were brought in.

In the first quarter of 2010, Israel shipped 152 trucks of medical supplies and equipment into Gaza.

In 2009, Israel coordinated the transfer of medical supplies for the disabled including wheelchairs, crutches and first aid kits. Other equipment shipped to Gaza include heart-monitors, baby feeding tubes, dental equipment, medical books, ambulance emergency equipment, artificial limbs and infant sleeping bags.
4. Quality of Life in Gaza
Projected life expectancy in the Gaza Strip (2010) is 73.86, greater than Estonia, Malaysia, Jamaica and Bulgaria.

The infant mortality rate in Gaza is 17.71 per 1000, better than that of China, Jordan, Lebanon and Thailand.
Schoolchildren:
Israel transfers school equipment supplied by UNRWA including notebooks, school bags, writing implements and textbooks.

Israel is currently coordinating the transfer of 200,000 laptops for Gaza schoolchildren.

In the first quarter of 2010, Israel transferred 250 trucks with equipment for the UNWRA summer camp, including arts-and-crafts equipment, swimming pools, inflatable toys, ice cream machines, musical instruments, clothing, sports quipment.
3. Building for the Future: Infrastructure and Economic Aid
Building Materials:
While the import of cement and iron has been restricted into Gaza since these are used by the Hamas to cast rockets and bunkers, monitored imports of truckloads of cement, iron, and building supplies such as wood and windows are regularly coordinated with international parties. Already in the first quarter of 2010, 23 tons of iron and 25 tons of cement were transferred to the Gaza Strip.

On 13 May 2010, Israel allowed approximately 39 tons of building material into Gaza to help rebuild a damaged hospital. The construction material for al Quds hospital was transferred after safeguards in place and French assurances ensured that the construction material would not be diverted elsewhere.

On 24 May 2010, Israel opened Kerem crossing to 97 trucks loaded with aid and goods, including six trucks holding 250 tons of cement and one truck loaded with five tons of iron for projects executed and operated by UNRWA.
Electricity:
As noted by a UN report of May 2010, 120 Megawatts (over 70 percent) of the Strips’ electricity supply comes from the Israeli electric grid, while 17 MWs come from Egypt and 30 MWs are produced by the Gaza city power station. Since January 2010, there has been deterioration in the supply of electricity to the Gaza Strip since the Hamas regime is unwilling to purchase the fuel to run the Gaza City power station.

Throughout 2009, Israel transferred 41 trucks of equipment for the maintenance of Gaza’s electricity grid.

Israel facilitates the transfer of fuel through the border, and maintains that the diversion of fuel from domestic power generators to other uses is wholly a Hamas decision. Over 133 million liters of fuel entered Gaza from Israel over the last 18 months.
Sewage:
During the first quarter of 2010, the UN coordinated with Israel the transfer of equipment for UNWRA to upgrade the sewage pumping station. In 2009, 127 trucks containing more than 3,000 tons of hypochlorite entered the Gaza Strip for water purification purposes. Moreover, 48 trucks of equipment for improving the sanitation infrastructure led to a substantial reduction in the Beit Lahya facility's waste levels.
Economy:
Primary exports from Gaza are cut flowers and citrus, with trade partners being Israel, Egypt and the West Bank. During 2009, 7.5 million tons of flowers and 54 tons of strawberries were exported from Gaza with Israeli cooperation.

In 2009, 1.1 billion shekels (about $250 million) was transferred to the Gaza Strip for the ongoing activity of international organizations and to pay the salaries of Palestinian Authority workers.