Israeli army will blast Netanyahu's UN speech into Gaza.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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."