Tuesday, June 01, 2010

Israel clearing passengers from Gaza flotilla now docked in Ashdod port

Israel detains at least 32 activists upon arrival, dozens hospitalized; Turkish-flagged ship stormed by Israel Navy last to arrive at port.
By Liel Kyzer and Yair Ettinger

The Turkish-flagged ship carrying international activists bringing humanitarian aid to Gaza docked at the Ashdod port on Monday evening, nearly 16 hours after it was stormed by Israel Navy commandos in what turned into a deadly raid. The Mavi Marmara was the last of the six-ship flotilla to be towed into the port, and its 600 passengers were kept on board while Israel Police sappers conducted a thorough examination of the vessel.

Nine activists aboard the ship were killed and several more wounded in the clashes that erupted with Israel Navy troops at 4 A.M. on Monday. Eight of the Israeli soldiers were wounded, two of them seriously.

The other ships were towed to port over the course of the afternoon, with dozens of the activists detained for refusing to sign Israel's deportation orders. Only some 25 of the activists agreed to the order.

Israel Prisons Services incarcerated at least 32 of the activists who were aboard the Gaza aid flotilla, at least 16 of them for refusing to identify themselves.
Israeli forces approaching Gaza flotilla


At least two of the activists who were wounded on the ship were detained after refusing treatment at the Barzilai Hospital in Ashkelon. Some 34 of the foreigners were treated hospitals across Israel for their wounds.

Israel has said it will deport the roughly 700 activists in the flotilla. But those who refuse to cooperate will be jailed.

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