In a statement from the Freedom Flotilla Coalition’s US arm, organisers say Israeli forces carried out a prolonged assault on civilian aid boats in international waters, using gunfire, water cannons and violent boardings against unarmed volunteers attempting to reach Gaza. 

Starting at approximately 10.30am Palestine time on 18 May, Israeli Occupation Forces began carrying out a prolonged assault on the Gaza flotilla in international waters. For more than 35 hours, Israeli forces attacked and damaged over 50 civilian vessels carrying only unarmed international volunteers and a modest amount of humanitarian aid. At least one boat has sunk from the damage – boats that we were going to donate to Gaza’s fishers.

Our flotilla is clearly not a security threat. But, Israel’s illegal and deadly blockade was never about........

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