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Israel attacks relief flotilla
GAZA, (UPI) -- At least two people were killed Monday when Israeli forces attacked a flotilla carrying aid to Gaza, Turkish media reported.
At least 50 people were injured in what Hamas officials called "crimes against humanity and against our Palestinian people," Ynetnews.com reported, citing Turkey's NTV network -- which broadcast video images Sunday of injured people on board one of the ships in international waters. Some of the passengers were evacuated from the six-vessel flotilla by boat and helicopter, the report said.
The Arab news network al-Jazeera said hundreds of Israeli troops took over the ships in a coordinated action that featured Israeli forces descending by rope from helicopters. The Israeli forces announced to all passengers on the ships that they were under arrest.
Qatari media broadcast interviews with Hamas members who said Israel would be punished. Senior Hamas member Ismail Raduan called the assault "state-sponsored organized terror," Ynetnews.com said.
"These are crimes against humanity and against our Palestinian people," Raduan said. "We call on all members the Arab and Muslim people to launch protests of rage of solidarity."
Israel Radio aired a recording in which Israeli forces are heard warning the flotilla not to proceed to Gaza.
"If you ignore this order and enter the blockaded area, the Israeli navy will be forced to take all the necessary measures in order to enforce this blockade," the warning stated.
Other media broadcasts featured a passenger on one of the ships calling out to Israeli forces: "Don't attack us. We are unarmed civilians. There are injured people onboard."
GAZA, (UPI) -- At least two people were killed Monday when Israeli forces attacked a flotilla carrying aid to Gaza, Turkish media reported.
At least 50 people were injured in what Hamas officials called "crimes against humanity and against our Palestinian people," Ynetnews.com reported, citing Turkey's NTV network -- which broadcast video images Sunday of injured people on board one of the ships in international waters. Some of the passengers were evacuated from the six-vessel flotilla by boat and helicopter, the report said.
The Arab news network al-Jazeera said hundreds of Israeli troops took over the ships in a coordinated action that featured Israeli forces descending by rope from helicopters. The Israeli forces announced to all passengers on the ships that they were under arrest.
Qatari media broadcast interviews with Hamas members who said Israel would be punished. Senior Hamas member Ismail Raduan called the assault "state-sponsored organized terror," Ynetnews.com said.
"These are crimes against humanity and against our Palestinian people," Raduan said. "We call on all members the Arab and Muslim people to launch protests of rage of solidarity."
Israel Radio aired a recording in which Israeli forces are heard warning the flotilla not to proceed to Gaza.
"If you ignore this order and enter the blockaded area, the Israeli navy will be forced to take all the necessary measures in order to enforce this blockade," the warning stated.
Other media broadcasts featured a passenger on one of the ships calling out to Israeli forces: "Don't attack us. We are unarmed civilians. There are injured people onboard."