The Israel-Hamas War Lounge

I can see why Iran and the rest of the Hamas supporters in the Middle East are sitting on the sidelines. They can use this time to grow, advance, and just wait to pounce. Hamas is holding their own against the worst trained military in the world.

 
The Sumud flotilla is on the move to Gaza, over 50 boats civilian boats are participating. Previous flotillas were not successful unless the actual goal was to create a media circus. The members of the first flotilla were arrested and deported by the Egyptian secret service after the flotilla was redirected to Egyptian shores, and the participants thereafter wanted to enter Gaza through the Egyptian landborder. The second flotilla was boarded by the Israelis in international waters in June, with the participants deported. Flotillas before October 7 2023 have seen people killed after Israeli intervention and boarding (Turkish 2008 flotilla).

The current Sumud Flotilla had drones drop incendiary devices on the main ship several times already. These commercial tier drones were probably operated by Israeli agents on merchant ships in international waters, strikes happened in Tunisian waters and were meant to intimidate the flotilla.

The intimidation tactics achieved the opposite, due to the danger to its countries' citizens the Italian, Spanish and Turkish navies have dispatched warships to protect and in the Spanish case escort the flotilla. Not sure what that may lead to once the Israeli coast guard/Navy will board the ships again, Greta T. is in high spirits though.





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LaAguilaNegra said:
The intimidation tactics achieved the opposite, due to the danger to its countries' citizens the Italian, Spanish and Turkish navies have dispatched warships to protect and in the Spanish case escort the flotilla. Not sure what that may lead to once the Israeli coast guard/Navy will board the ships again.
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UNCLOS (law of the seas) isn't precise here. Warships can enter territorial waters of another country under the right of innocent passage, but it is the host country who determines what constitutes as innocent. In this case Israel will bring up the legality of their blockade of Gaza, and most likely deny these warships permission to enter its waters.
So I think they'll escort the flotilla only to the maritime border line, making sure that Israel doesn't sink these ships in international waters, but won't cross it without permission and risk any incidents with the Israeli navy.
 
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It_Is_My_Time said:
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It's a tough choice for Hamas. They know from decades of experience that the Israelis in all likelyhood will renege on the deal the moment the hostages have been freed and the weapons has been laid down. And then Israel will have free reins, and they will be dead.

On the other hand, if they refuse the deal they will look like the unreasonable party. And then Israel will have free reins, and they will be dead. But at least they can take some Israelis with them.

All in all, I think it will be best for them to take the deal. They are screwed either way, but in the long term Israel will suffer more if they once again prove to the world that they are evil deceivers.
 
TruckDriver9 said:
UNCLOS (law of the seas) isn't precise here. Warships can enter territorial waters of another country under the right of innocent passage, but it is the host country who determines what constitutes as innocent. In this case Israel will bring up the legality of their blockade of Gaza, and most likely deny these warships permission to enter its waters.
So I think they'll escort the flotilla only to the maritime border line, making sure that Israel doesn't sink these ships in international waters, but won't cross it without permission and risk any incidents with the Israeli navy.
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There is a key aspect here in terms of international law, the territorial waters of Gaza are not Israeli territorial waters, Israel officially being an occupier. That will be especially true for countries that have recognized Palestine as a state.
 
Cooper said:
There is a key aspect here in terms of international law, the territorial waters of Gaza are not Israeli territorial waters, Israel officially being an occupier. That will be especially true for countries that have recognized Palestine as a state.
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Well it looks like we won't find out what the legal interpretation is, as Israeli navy intercepts the flotilla in international waters.


The Israeli Navy has begun to intercept the large flotilla attempting to break the Israeli maritime blockade on the Gaza Strip, according to activists. Footage shows a Navy vessel close to one of the boats. The Middle East Eye outlet reports that one of the lead boats, Alma, has been boarded by Israeli soldiers. The Israeli military had repeatedly warned the activists to change course, including via radio this evening.The 47-boat Global Sumud Flotilla is carrying over 500 activists, according to the organizers. Israel has accused some key participants of having ties to Hamas.
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Israeli navy intercepted the flotilla.
Overnight and this morning, the Israeli Navy continued to intercept the large flotilla attempting to break the Israeli maritime blockade on the Gaza Strip.
Forces of the Shayetet 13 naval commando unit have boarded around 40 of the Global Sumud Flotilla's 47 boats, detaining hundreds of activists who are now being brought to Ashdod Port to then be deported from the country. Israel's Foreign Ministry says "the passengers are safe and in good health."
At least four of the flotilla's vessels are stuck at sea due to various technical problems, unrelated to the military's actions. The Navy is set to detain the activists on those boats as well, or tow them to the port.The Navy is also scanning the area to ensure no boats managed to sneak past and reach the Strip.
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One of the boats managed to reach Gaza's territorial waters - quite possibly she just drifted there after experiencing "mechanical issues".

The attempt by a large activist flotilla to break the Israeli maritime blockade on the Gaza Strip has ended without major incident.The Israeli Foreign Ministry says the "provocation" by the Global Sumud Flotilla "is over."
"None of the Hamas-Sumud provocation yachts has succeeded in its attempt to enter an active combat zone or breach the lawful naval blockade," it says.The ministry says "all the passengers are safe and in good health. They are making their way safely to Israel, from where they will be deported to Europe."
One vessel, with possible mechanical issues, remains at sea at a distance from Gaza. The ministry says that "if it approaches, its attempt to enter an active combat zone and breach the blockade will also be prevented."
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TruckDriver9 said:
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Must be why we are moving all the air force equipment to the Middle East. Either a threat and Trump is bluffing, or they are serious and are about to start WW3. I guess we will know in a few days. I doubt Hamas accepts the deal, but maybe we will get lucky and they do accept it and things cool off.
 
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