Summary of Flotilla - Final Version

8/9/2019 Summary of Flotilla - Final Version

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Military-Strategic Information Section

Strategic Division // Israel Defense Forces

June 10th, 2010

Operation SeaBreeze

Summary and

BackgroundMay 31st June 5th


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Unclassified || Slide 2

Table of Contents

State of Armed Conflict

Strategic

Context

The Naval Blockade

Humanitarian Status:Gaza

Hamas & HumanitarianAid

General

Flotilla

Background

Blockade Enforcement

Diplomatic Efforts

Participating Boats

The IHH

Flotilla

Participants

IHH and Turkey

Other Terrorist Links

Intercepting the Boats

Interception

Interception toRepatriation

The Rachel Corrie

Materials Onboard

The Aftermath

IDF Investigation

1 2 3

4 5


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The Broader Context

Rockets and

Mortars

Terrorist Activity in 2010 (As of June 7th) Military Buildup

Jan.-Jun. 2010

56 Rockets

33 Mortar Shells

Refusal ofInternationalCommunity

Conditions:

Cessation of hostile terrorist activity against Israel Recognition of agreements between Israel and the PA Recognition of the State of Israels right to exist

2006 2007 2008 2009

UnilateralDisengagement

2005

PA Elections

ShalitKidnapped

Hamas Coup State of Calm Operation CastLead

2010

Increaseddeterrence

LightArms

Attacks

Anti-TankFire

IEDs

Grenade

34

7

5

1


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Israel enforces certain restrictions aimed atensuring its security, by preventing Hamas

military buildup. This is subject to ongoing scrutiny bythe Supreme Court.


The Naval Blockade on Gaza

DeclarationThe date the blockade begins, the duration and location must be notified

to every affected country. [Israel began the blockade on 03/01/09]

Effectivene

ss

A State that declares a naval blockade must enforce it in practice

Impartiality Blockades must be applied impartially to vessels of all States

Purpose

Proportionalit

y

Neutral

Access

The goal of the blockade must not be to punish the population or refusesupplies vital for its survival.

The damage to the population must not exceed the military advantage.

A naval blockade must not bar access to the ports and coasts of neutral

States

Under International Law, naval blockades is alegitimate mean in armed conflicts. Its use requiresthe fulfillment of a number of conditions:


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Humanitarian Status in Gaza

Weekly Transfers (30/5-

5/6)

In coordination with the PA and NGOs,

supplies and goods are transferred on a daily

basis to the Gaza Strip, extending beyond

the requirements of international law.

Israel continues to assist in ensuring that

basic water and infrastructure requirements in

Gaza exist, allowing equipment transfers

when necessary.

Trucks: 484

Tons: 12,413

Medical Evacs: 373

Fuel: 1.08 million

liters

Transfers in 2009

Trucks: 30,920

Tons: 738,576

Medical Evacs: 10,544

NGO Personnel:

21,200

Pictures of a Gaza Market(2009(


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Hamas and Humanitarian Aid

Hamas seeks to create an illusion of a humanitarian crisis within the

Gaza Strip. This relies largely on preventing the entry or distribution of aid

and exploitation of the aid for its own purposes, achieving political and militarygains at the expense of Gaza residents.

While the Hamas charges Gaza residents for

electricity, it has refused to transfer the money to

the PA for fuel, leading to a Hamas instigated

reduction in transfer.

Using Molotov cocktails, radical elements in Gaza

set fire to a UNRWA camp (23/5,10), apparently due

to the non-religious agenda of the camp.

In mid-May 2010, the Hamas razed dozens ofhomes within the Gaza Strip, beating civilians who

refused to leave them.

Recent Examples

In early June 2010, Hamas forces raided and shut

down numerous NGO charities in the Gaza Strip. UN

officials expressed concern.

Pictures of the Burnt UNRWAChildrens Camp


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Flotilla Background

On April 28th , a number of organizations, led by the Turkish-based IHH,

announced that they intended to sail a flotilla to the Gaza Stripcoast to breach the naval blockade imposed in January, 2009.

The flotilla aimed to reach Gaza with

approximately 10 ships, departing from south

of Cyprus on May 24th.

This was the 3rd flotilla since the blockade was

imposed. Two flotillas attempting to

breach the blockade since have been

stopped. Humanitarian supplies aboard

transferred to Gaza by the land crossings.The option of transferring supplies via the land crossings was conveyed,

even suggesting that the organizers oversee the transfer. This

was declined by the organizers, who declared that the purpose of the

flotilla was to breach the blockade. Israel unequivocally conveyed

that ships would not be permitted to breach the blockade.


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Enforcing Naval Blockades

The entry of a vessel into a blockaded area without permission

constitutes a breach of a naval blockade. According to International

Law, if there are reasonable grounds to believe that a vessel has

breached the blockade, it may be captured. If the vessel refuses to

stop, use of force is permissible.

Attempted Breaching of the Blockade

Moreover, a vessel may be captured when attempting to breach a

naval blockade if there are reasonable grounds to believe that the

vessel intends to breach it, even before the vessel reaches the

blockaded area. In such a case, the capture must take place outside

of territorial waters of neutral states.Attempted breach of blockade occurs fromthe time a vessel or aircraft leaves a port or

airfield with the intention of evading theblockade The Commanders Handbook on

the Law of Naval Operations, USNavy


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Diplomatic Efforts to Avoid the Use of Force

Prior to the operation, a multi-pronged diplomatic effort was made in to

prevent the flotilla from attempting to breach the naval blockade:MFA and Others Israeli Defense Forces

Messages conveyed to relevant

countries.

Message conveyed to flotilla

organizersWritten messages conveyed to all

foreign delegates in Israel

Meeting between Navy Planning and

Organization Department and relevant

foreign attachs

Personal meeting between Navy

Commander in Chief and relevant

attachsLetter from Navy CoC sent to relevant

naval CoCs.

Messages

prior to

interception

and boarding

Reiteration of blockade

Offer to transfer humanitarian supplies through Ashdod

Warning that necessary measures would be taken if course

unchanged

Warning that ship would be boarded barring change

Meetings on working levels and higher

in relevant countries


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Strategic Division // Israel Defense ForcesNaval Warnings

Insert Video

Naval Warnings Prior to Interception


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Name

Max.

SpeedFlag

Passengers

MaviMarmara

15knots

Comoros

561

Gazze

13knots

Turkey

18

Challenger1

20 knots

Unknown

(Hoisted USflag)17

Sfendonh

15knots

Togo

48

Defne Y

13knots

Kiribati

21

Sofia

12.5knots

Greece

30

RachelCorrie

12.5knots

Cambodia

19

Name

Max.

SpeedFlag

Passengers

Participating Boats


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IHH

The IHH (Insani Yardim Vakfi) is a radical Islamic organization

established in 1992, formally registered in Istanbul (1995) and led byBulent Yildrim. While its activities include legitimate humanitarian

activity, it also includes the support of radical Islamic terrorist

organizations:

IHH provided 40 core activists, three boats, including the Mavi Marmara, as

well as aid to the Hamas regime in preparing to receive the flotilla. Bulent

Yildrim also admitted to having children and elderly on board as a deliberate

human shields (30 May)

Hamas

The IHH openly supports

the Hamas, as a member

of the Union of Good

(UoG), which supports

Hamas institutes in the PA.

UoG was defined a

terrorist entity by the USgovernment in 2008.

Global Jihad

IHH has links with the GJ in the

Middle East, as well as Syria, Iraq,

Afghanistan and Chechnya. A CIA

report (1996) exposed the IHHs

connection with extremist groups.

It also provided aid to a terrorist

planning an attack in the US

(2000)

al-Qaeda

In 2006, a Danish

research group showed

IHH involvement in

recruitment, the

purchase of weapons and

the planning of attacks

for al-Qaeda.

Mili S i I f i S i


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The IHH and Turkey

Core group of 40 IHH activists on MaviMarmara

Boarded without security inspection inIstanbulHierarchy based on regional coordinators.

Wore security badges during journey and

carried radio communication devices

Top deck restricted to IHH access alone

Conducted instructional briefing regarding

resistance during the boarding process.

Turkey refused to nine separate

Israeli requests to provide security

oversight over the ships loading,

unlike other countries which

provided oversight.

The Mavi Marmara was acquiredfrom a Turkish company (IDO),

created in 1987 by the Istanbul

municipality.Interviews with passengers aboard

reveal that the Turkish

government aided the flotilla prior

to its departure.

Elements in the Turkishgovernment continue to defend

and praise the IHH, despite the

organizations terrorist

affiliations and the blatant,

organized attack on Israeli

soldiers.

Turkey and the IHH

Gasmasks

andTurkishmilitary

vests usedby IHH

activists

The Mavi Marmara contained passengers

alone, no humanitarian aid.

Milit St t i I f ti S ti


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Other Terrorist Links

While internal investigations continue, it is becoming more and more

evident that individuals affiliated with terrorist groups were aboard the

boat:ArmedGroups

A large number of passengers involved in the extreme violence were

found without any identification papers and with large thousands of

Euros in envelopes, indicating that they may be mercenaries, or people

wanted for unlawful activity, therefore hiding their identity.

Passengers Specific passengers with known terror involvement:

Fatimah Mahdami Iranian-born US resident caught smuggling into the

Gaza Strip and an active member ofViva Palestine

Ken OKeefe Irish citizen; operative in the Hamas organization; has

attempted to enter Gaza to form a commando unitHassan Iynasi Turkish citizen; supported the Islamic Jihadfinancially

Hussein Urosh Turkish citizen who sought to smuggle Al-Qaeda

operatives into the Gaza Strip

Ahmed Umimon French citizen of Moroccan origin; Hamas operative

Milit St t i I f ti S ti


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Interception of the Ships

On 31 May, at 0428, after numerous warnings were given to ships

approaching the Gaza Strip, clarifying that entrance to the blockadedarea would not be allowed, the six ships were boarded.

Passe

nge

rs

Mavi Marmara 561

Challenger 17

SFENDONH 48

Gazze 18

Sofia 30

Defne Y 21

Boarding Preparation

Soldiers boarding the boats were instructed

personally by the Chief of the Navy to use

the minimal amount of force necessary,

as befits operations involving civilians. They

were equipped with paintball guns,

beanbag ammunition, tasers and stun

grenades, as well as pistols to be used

when facing a clear and immediate threat

to life.Despite some resistance from passengers on five boats (excluding

the Mavi Marmara), no injuries or casualties were sustained. The

boats were brought to Ashdod port without extraordinary incidents.

Militar Strategic Information Section


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Strategic Division // Israel Defense ForcesViolence Onboard Ship

Insert Video

Violence Before Boarding

Military Strategic Information Section


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Violence on the Mavi Marmara

Calls on the boat directed non-IHH members

(including 16 parliament members & 34 journalists)

below deck prior to the IDF boarding. Weapons wereprepared and IHH members split into squads for the

violent confrontation.

Soldiers upon the Mavi Marmara encountered organized, life-

threatening violence. Troops limited fire to aggressors alone, after non-

lethal force failed to prove effective. All casualties resulted from attacks

immediately threatening the life of Israeli soldiers.

IHH Violence Upon Boarding

Soldiers were fired upon, thrown off the top deck,

abducted, stabbed and attacked with metal rods,slingshots, and other weapons. Soldiers were

forced to respond with force in self-defense.

7 IDF

Wounded

(2 critical)

9 IHH

casualties

34 wounded



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Insert Video

Violence Against Soldiers - Overhead

Insert Video

Violence Against Soldiers - Side View


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We will definitely

resist and we willnot allow theIsraelis to enter

here if Israelwants to boardthe ship, it willmeet strongresistance.

Bulent Yildrim, Head of the IHH

May 30th, 2010


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There were guyswho they threw off

the top deck, andwho were strippedof their gear. They

jumped into the seaas a last resort Testimony of one of theNavy commandos onthe Mavi Marmara



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IHH Preparation for Boarding

Metal rods 100

Knives 200

Kevlar boards 11

Military vests 150

Electric saws 7

Large tools 100

Gas Masks 200

Axes 20


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Every person whocame down the ropes,was grabbed by three

or four people and

violently assaulted.We were lynched.

They had metal rods,

knives, slingshots,and glass bottles. Atsome point, live fire

was shot at two of our

Testimony of one of theNavy commandos onthe Mavi Marmara



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Insert Video

Soldier Describes Violence



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Interception until Repatriation

Injured passengers were evacuated byhelicopter to five hospitals in Israel

Belinson

Hadassah Ein Karem

Tel Hashomer

Rambam

In Ashdod Port, passengers were given

medical examinations and screened for

security purposes. Passengers who agreed

to sign deportation notices were brought to

Ben Gurion Airport for immediate

repatriation. Those who refused were

detained until deportation procedures werecompleted.

Procedure Once in Port

Barzilay

June 1st

Two Egyptians returned to Egypt

Approximately 120 transferred to

Jordan as final destination and as

transfer pointJune 2nd

Four Lebanese residents returnedvia Rosh HaNikra crossing

June 3rd

With the exception of 7 injured

passengers and 3 others, allpassengers returned to Turkey via

3 airplanes and 3 ambulance

airplanesJune 6th

One returned on flight to Turkey



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The Linda (Rachel Corrie)

Interception || July 5th

On July 6th, 8 of the passengers were transferred

to Jordan via Allenby crossing. The remaining

passengers were transferred to Turkey by

airplane.

Repatriation || July 6th

The Rachel Corrie arrived in the region on July 5th and, after ignoring calls to avert its course, was

boarded by IDF forces. The boarding was done

calmly and peacefully. All 19 passengers were

brought to Ashdod port, where they underwent

medical examinations and security screening.

The perceptible difference between the behavior of the activistsupon the Linda, as well as the other five ships, when comparedto the hostile aggression from the passengers of the Mavi

Marmara, reflect upon the nature of the peace activists aboard

each of the ships.



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a y S a eg c o a o Sec o



Materials Aboard the Ships

Materials Aboard the Ships

After passengers disembarked, the supplies were unloadedand transferred to some 80 trucks, sent to pass through

the land crossings at Kerem Shalom. The supplies included

medical equipment (including expired medicine),

clothing and childrens toys. Material requiring

refrigeration are in IDF storage units.

Hamas has refused to accept the materials,threatening those who do try to transfer them. Thematerials remain at Kerem Shalom crossing.The routine, daily shipments of supplies continue in thepast week, 484 trucks (including two with concrete) weretransferred.

Transferring the Materials

However, large portions of the aid were rendered useless by poor packaging upon

the boat. In addition, much of the materials did not match the standard definition of

humanitarian aid. Camouflage fabric intended to be transferred was found on

board. Much of the clothing is old and not wearable and medical equipment

was not transferred in a sterile manner.



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y g

Strategic Division // Israel Defense ForcesIDF Investigation

Field investigations within the navy are currently taking place.

In addition, the Chief of the General Staff has appointed a

professional inquiry team, led by Maj. Gen. (res.) Giora Eiland to

examine the flotilla operation and establish lessons. The team is

to present the findings no later than July 4th . Consisting of

professionals who are experts in the field, the investigative team was

not part of the chain of command, allowing impartial investigation.

Command

investigati

on

Criminal

misconductCriminal

investigati

onInc

iden

t

Credible allegation or non-operational

incident

Model of IDF Investigations

MAG

oversigh

t

Supreme

Court

oversight

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Summary of Flotilla - Final Version

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