At least 19 people killed in Israeli army assault on aid-carrying convoy heading for Gaza
At least 19 people killed in Israeli army assault on aid-carrying convoy heading for Gaza
Israeli forces have attacked a flotilla of aid-carrying ships aiming to break the country's siege on Gaza.
Reports coming in say that at least 16 people could have been killed and dozens injured when troops intercepted the convoy of ships dubbed the Freedom Flotilla early on Monday. Israeli military sources confirmed that the number of dead people could be as high as 19.
The flotilla was attacked in international waters, 65km off the Gaza coast.
Footage from the flotilla's lead vessel, the Mavi Marmara, showed armed Israeli soldiers boarding the ship and helicopters flying overhead.
Many international journalists following the mission, said that Israeli troops have used live ammunition during the operation.
The Israeli military said four soldiers had been wounded, two of them moderately, and claimed troops opened fire after "demonstrators on board attacked the IDF Naval personnel with live fire and light weaponry including knives and clubs".
Free Gaza Movement, the organisers of the flotilla, however, said the troops opened fire as soon as they stormed the ships.
Thousands of Turkish protesters tried to storm the Israeli consulate in Istanbul soon after the news of the operation broke. The protesters shouted "Damn Israel" as police blocked them. Turkey is also reported to have summoned the Israeli ambassador to lodge a protest. The flotilla's lead vessel is a Turkish ship and the convoy left from Turkey earlier on Sunday.
Reports coming in say that at least 16 people could have been killed and dozens injured when troops intercepted the convoy of ships dubbed the Freedom Flotilla early on Monday. Israeli military sources confirmed that the number of dead people could be as high as 19.
The flotilla was attacked in international waters, 65km off the Gaza coast.
Footage from the flotilla's lead vessel, the Mavi Marmara, showed armed Israeli soldiers boarding the ship and helicopters flying overhead.
Many international journalists following the mission, said that Israeli troops have used live ammunition during the operation.
The Israeli military said four soldiers had been wounded, two of them moderately, and claimed troops opened fire after "demonstrators on board attacked the IDF Naval personnel with live fire and light weaponry including knives and clubs".
Free Gaza Movement, the organisers of the flotilla, however, said the troops opened fire as soon as they stormed the ships.
Thousands of Turkish protesters tried to storm the Israeli consulate in Istanbul soon after the news of the operation broke. The protesters shouted "Damn Israel" as police blocked them. Turkey is also reported to have summoned the Israeli ambassador to lodge a protest. The flotilla's lead vessel is a Turkish ship and the convoy left from Turkey earlier on Sunday.
