2010 Gaza flotilla raid

The flotilla was organized by the Free Gaza Movement and the Turkish Foundation for Human Rights and Freedoms and Humanitarian Relief (IHH) was carrying cargo that included medical supplies, and construction materials, intended for the Gaza Strip , and planned to break the Gaza Blockade . The six ships gathered near Cyprus , and departed on 30 May 2010 carrying 663 people from 37 countries . Israel requested to have the cargos inspected at the port of Ashdod and items permitted by Israel delivered by land; the flotilla refused this request. Israeli commandos then raided and seized the ships in international waters of the Mediterranean Sea . Activists aboard the flotilla's largest ship, the MV Mavi Marmara , clashed with Israeli Shayetet 13 special forces as the commandos abseiled onto the deck of the vessel. Nine activists, all from the IHH , were killed by the Israeli troops, dozens were injured, and hundreds were detained. Seven Israeli commandos were injured. Israeli soldiers said they used their pistols only after their lives were endangered, while several activists on board said that the IDF opened fire on the ship before boarding. Israeli officials have accused the IHH of sending a group of activists on the MV Mavi Marmara determined to instigate violence; the IHH rejected the accusation. It was the ninth attempt since 2008 to break the blockade by sea, but the first that resulted in deaths. Israel seized and inspected the cargo, 70 truck-loads, and requested the UN to oversee its transfer to Gaza. Hamas authorities initially refused to accept the aid, but later accepted UN responsibility. Aid distribution negotiations are under way between the IHH, which co-sponsored the flotilla, and the UN. The raid prompted widespread international reactions , including condemnation from national authorities, supranational bodies and NGOs , as well as demonstrations around the world. The United Nations Security Council condemned "those acts resulting in civilian deaths," demanded an impartial investigation of the raid, and called for the immediate release of civilians held by Israel. Israel responded by releasing the 620 of the 682 detainees and deporting them back to their countries. The incident seriously threatened the already deteriorating relations between Turkey and Israel . Israel has rejected calls from the United Nations and by governments all over the world for an international investigation into its raid on the Gaza aid flotilla. Israel has formed a domestic commission of inquiry to investigate the raid, that includes two international observers and is headed by retired Supreme Court of Israel judge Jacob Turkel . Some countries are still requesting an international investigation. Haaretz . : Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored ( |author= suggested) ( help ) Edmund Sanders (1 June 2010). "Israel Defense Forces: Operation "Sea Breeze" – Legal Aspects" (Microsoft Word document) . Guardian News and Media . Security Council to condemn Israeli attack on aid flotilla" . "Islamic charity at center of flotilla clash known for relief work and confrontation" . 10 June 2010 . Israel cabinet votes to ease Gaza Strip blockade , BBC, June 17, 2010. Center for Strategic and International Studies . "Turkey: We'll review Israel ties unless international Gaza flotilla probe held - Haaretz Daily Newspaper | Israel News" . There are <ref group=text> tags on this page, but the references will not show without a template (see the help page ).

32°38′28″N 33°34′02″E  /  32.64113°N 33.56727°E  / 32.64113; 33.56727 Routes of the Gaza-bound flotilla (green) and the Israeli Navy (orange) The Gaza flotilla raid was a military operation by Israel against six civilian ships of the " Gaza Freedom Flotilla " on 31 May 2010 in international waters in the Mediterranean Sea. Nine activists were killed in the raid. The flotilla , organized by the Free Gaza Movement and the Turkish Foundation for Human Rights and Freedoms and Humanitarian Relief (İHH) , was carrying humanitarian aid and construction materials, with the intention of breaking the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip . The government of Israel stated that the flotilla was organized as a provocation or media stunt. On 31 May 2010, Israeli Shayetet 13 naval commandos boarded the ships from speedboats and helicopters in order to force the ships to the Israeli port of Ashdod for inspection. On the Turkish ship MV Mavi Marmara , according to Israel's own report, the Israeli Navy faced resistance from about 40 of the 590 passengers, including IHH activists – described in an Israeli report as a separate "hardcore group" – who were said to be armed with iron bars and knives. During the struggle, nine activists were killed including eight Turkish nationals and one Turkish American , and many were wounded. On 23 May 2014, a tenth member of the flotilla died in hospital after being in a coma for four years. Ten of the commandos were also wounded, one of them seriously. The New York Times , in an editorial, said, "At least some of the activists on the lead ship, the Mavi Marmara, were seeking a confrontation – and got one." According to a UN report, all activist deaths were caused by gunshots, and "the circumstances of the killing of at least six of the passengers were in a manner consistent with an extra-legal, arbitrary and summary execution." The five other ships in the flotilla employed passive resistance , which was suppressed without major incident. According to the UN report, several of the passengers were injured and the leg of one was fractured. The ships were towed to Israel. Some were deported immediately, while about 600 were detained after they refused to sign deportation orders; a few of them were slated for prosecution. After international criticism, all of the detained activists were also deported. The raid drew widespread condemnation internationally and resulted in a deterioration of Israel–Turkey relations . Israel consequently eased its blockade on the Gaza Strip. All activists were freed, yet only the Turkish and Greek ships were returned. Israel confiscated and continues to hold the other ships, as well as most of the property (including all media recordings, which is important evidence) of over 700 passengers. There were several probes into the incident. A UNHRC report in September 2010 into the incident deemed the blockade illegal and stated that Israel's actions were "disproportionate" and "betrayed an unacceptable level of brutality", with evidence for "willful killing". The UNHRC later also set up a panel of five human rights experts to examine the conclusions of the Palmer report. The panel stated that Israel's blockade of Gaza amounted to collective punishment and was unlawful. United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced a parallel probe in August 2010 by a four-member panel headed by Geoffrey Palmer . The Palmer report was published on 2 September 2011 after being delayed, reportedly to allow Israel and Turkey to continue reconciliation talks. The report found that the Israeli naval blockade of Gaza was legal, and that there were "serious questions about the conduct, true nature and objectives of the flotilla organizers, particularly IHH". The report also found that the degree of force used against the Mavi Marmara was "excessive and unreasonable", and that the way Israel treated detained crew members violated international human rights law. Israel has offered Turkey $20 million in compensation for the raid. On 22 March 2013, in a half-hour telephone exchange between Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan , the former apologized on behalf of his nation; Erdoğan accepted the apology and both agreed to enter into further discussions. As of May 2014, although several points of agreement had been discussed between the two nations, no agreement has been finalized. There are <ref group=text> tags on this page, but the references will not show without a template (see the help page ). The New York Times . The New York Times . The decision to deport the hundreds of foreign activists was announced by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided late Tuesday, in the face of mounting world criticism of Monday's assault "Gaza flotilla activists back in Turkey" . "CCR Demands Return of Property and Evidence Seized by Israel from Flotilla" (Press release). International and Comparative Law Quarterly .

2010 Israeli military operation against a humanitarian ship convoy 32°38′28″N 33°34′02″E  /  32.64113°N 33.56727°E  / 32.64113; 33.56727 Belligerents Israel Gaza Freedom Flotilla Units involved Shayetet 13 Casualties and losses 10 wounded 10 dead Dozens wounded The Gaza flotilla raid was a military operation by Israel against six civilian ships of the " Gaza Freedom Flotilla " on 31 May 2010 in international waters in the Mediterranean Sea. Nine activists were killed during the raid and dozens wounded, including one who later died of his wounds, while ten Israeli soldiers were wounded, one seriously. Three of the six flotilla ships, organized by the Free Gaza Movement and the Turkish Foundation for Human Rights and Freedoms and Humanitarian Relief (İHH) , were carrying humanitarian aid and construction materials, intending to break the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip . Israel had warned the flotilla to abort their mission, describing it as a provocation. On 31 May 2010, Israeli Shayetet 13 naval commandos boarded the ships from speedboats and helicopters in order to force the ships to the Israeli port of Ashdod for inspection. On the Turkish ship MV Mavi Marmara , according to the Israel's own Turkel Commission , the Israeli Navy faced resistance from about 40 of the 590 passengers, including IHH activists – described in the commission's report as a separate "hardcore group" – who were said to be armed with iron bars and knives. According to flotilla organizer Greta Berlin , the Israeli soldiers did not start firing until an activist seized a gun from one of them. During the struggle, nine activists were killed, including eight Turkish nationals and one Turkish American , and many were wounded. On 23 May 2014, a tenth member of the flotilla died in hospital after being in a coma for four years. Ten of the commandos were also wounded, one of them seriously. According to a UN report, all activist deaths were caused by gunshots, and "the circumstances of the killing of at least six of the passengers were in a manner consistent with an extra-legal, arbitrary and summary execution." The five other ships in the flotilla employed passive resistance , which was suppressed without major incident. According to the UN report, several of the passengers were injured and the leg of one was fractured. The ships were towed to Israel. Some passengers were deported immediately, while about 600 were detained after they refused to sign deportation orders; a few of them were slated for prosecution. After international criticism, all of the detained activists were also deported. The raid drew widespread condemnation internationally and resulted in a deterioration of Israel–Turkey relations . Israel subsequently eased its blockade on the Gaza Strip. All surviving activists were freed, though only the Turkish and Greek ships were returned. Israel confiscated and continued to hold the other ships, as well as most of the property (including all media recordings) of over 700 passengers, as of June 2010 . There were several probes into the incident. A UNHRC report in September 2010 into the incident deemed the blockade illegal and stated that Israel's actions were "disproportionate" and "betrayed an unacceptable level of brutality", with evidence of "wilful killing". United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced a parallel probe in August 2010 by a four-member panel headed by Geoffrey Palmer . The Palmer report was published on 2 September 2011 after being delayed, reportedly to allow Israel and Turkey to continue reconciliation talks. The report found that the Israeli naval blockade of Gaza was legal, and that there were "serious questions about the conduct, true nature and objectives of the flotilla organizers, particularly IHH". The report also found that the degree of force used against the Mavi Marmara was "excessive and unreasonable", and that the way Israel treated detained crew members violated international human rights law. Israel has offered Turkey $20 million in compensation for the raid. On 22 March 2013, in a half-hour telephone exchange between Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan , the former apologized on behalf of his nation; Erdoğan accepted the apology and both agreed to enter into further discussions. On 29 June 2016, the agreement was finalized and approved by the Israeli government. The New York Times . The Times of Israel . The decision to deport the hundreds of foreign activists was announced by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided late Tuesday, in the face of mounting world criticism of Monday's assault "Gaza flotilla activists back in Turkey" . "CCR Demands Return of Property and Evidence Seized by Israel from Flotilla" (Press release). International and Comparative Law Quarterly .

2010 Israeli military operation against a humanitarian ship convoy For other flotillas and incidents, see Gaza Freedom Flotilla . 32°38′28″N 33°34′02″E  /  32.64113°N 33.56727°E  / 32.64113; 33.56727 Belligerents Israel Gaza Freedom Flotilla Units involved Shayetet 13 Casualties and losses 10 wounded 10 dead Dozens wounded Six civilian ships of the Gaza Freedom Flotilla were raided by Israel on 31 May 2010 in international waters in the Mediterranean Sea. Nine of the flotilla passengers were killed during the raid, with thirty wounded (including one who later died of his wounds). Ten Israeli soldiers were wounded, one seriously. The exact sequence of events is contested, in part due to the IDF's confiscation of the passengers' photographic evidence. The flotilla, organized by the Free Gaza Movement and the Turkish Foundation for Human Rights and Freedoms and Humanitarian Relief (İHH) , was carrying humanitarian aid and construction materials, intending to break the Israeli naval blockade of the Gaza Strip . The Israeli Navy warned the flotilla via radio to stop approaching the naval blockade and to change course to the port of Ashdod . This request was denied and on 31 May 2010, Israeli Shayetet 13 naval commandos boarded the ships in international waters from speedboats and helicopters. Aboard the Turkish ship MV Mavi Marmara , the Israeli Navy faced resistance from about 40 of the 590 passengers, including IHH activists who were said to be armed with iron bars and knives. During the struggle, nine activists were killed, including eight Turkish nationals and one Turkish American , and many were wounded. On 23 May 2014, a tenth member of the flotilla died in hospital after being in a coma for four years. Ten of the commandos were also wounded, one of them seriously. According to a United Nations Human Rights Council report, all activist deaths were caused by gunshots, and "the circumstances of the killing of at least six of the passengers were in a manner consistent with an extra-legal, arbitrary and summary execution." The five other ships in the flotilla employed passive resistance , which was suppressed without major incident. According to the UNHRC report, several of the passengers were injured and the leg of one was fractured. The ships were towed to Israel. Some passengers were deported immediately, while about 600 were detained after they refused to sign deportation orders; a few of them were slated for prosecution. After international criticism, all of the detained activists were also deported. The raid drew widespread condemnation internationally and resulted in a deterioration of Israel–Turkey relations . Israel subsequently eased its blockade on the Gaza Strip. All surviving activists were freed, though only the Turkish and Greek ships were returned. Israel confiscated and continued to hold the other ships, as well as most of the property (including all media recordings) of over 700 passengers, as of June 2010 . There were several probes into the incident. A UNHRC report in September 2010 into the incident deemed the blockade illegal and stated that Israel's actions were "disproportionate" and "betrayed an unacceptable level of brutality", with evidence of "wilful killing". United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced a parallel probe in August 2010 by a four-member panel headed by Geoffrey Palmer . The Palmer report was published on 2 September 2011 after being delayed, reportedly to allow Israel and Turkey to continue reconciliation talks. The report found that the Israeli naval blockade of Gaza was legal, and that there were "serious questions about the conduct, true nature and objectives of the flotilla organizers, particularly IHH". The report also found that the degree of force used against the Mavi Marmara was "excessive and unreasonable", and that the way Israel treated detained crew members violated international human rights law. Israel has offered Turkey $20 million in compensation for the raid. On 22 March 2013, in a half-hour telephone exchange between Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Turkey's prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan , the former apologized on behalf of his nation; Erdoğan accepted the apology and both agreed to enter into further discussions. On 29 June 2016, the agreement was finalized and approved by the Israeli government. The New York Times . The decision to deport the hundreds of foreign activists was announced by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided late Tuesday, in the face of mounting world criticism of Monday's assault "Gaza flotilla activists back in Turkey" . "CCR Demands Return of Property and Evidence Seized by Israel from Flotilla" (Press release). International and Comparative Law Quarterly .