Israeli Navy captures Gaza-bound boats

A Palestinian flag flutters as members of Hamas security patrol in the Gaza seaport forces 4 November 2011. The United States on Thursday warned that a new initiative by pro-Palestinian activists to send a flotilla against Israel's blockade of the Gaza Strip was dangerous and asked not to involve US citizens.

Credit: Reuters / Ibrahim Abu Mustafa

By Allyn Fisher-Ilan

JERUSALEM | Friday, 4 November 2011 5: 26 pm EDT

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - the Israeli Navy on board Friday two boats with pro-Palestinian activists against the Gaza Strip in a new challenge to Israel's blockade of the Islamist controlled areas.

The military said in a statement the Boote--one Canadian ship Tahrir called and an Irish boat named Saoirse--which together had 27 people on board, in the the Israeli port of Ashdod.

"The Israel marine soldiers operated as planned, and took all the precautions necessary for the safety of the activists on board the ships, as well as for themselves," the statement said.

A military source said that no one was hurt in the operation.

In May 2010 Israeli commands aboard Turkish Mavi Marmara aid ship enforce that blockade of the Palestinian enclave and nine Turks in clashes with activists, some of them armed with clubs and knives killed.

Israel spurns Ankara's demand for an apology over the incident. Turkey expelled the Israeli Ambassador two months ago.

Carrying a small amount of medical care, had Canadian and Irish boats from Turkey Wednesday drove. The Israeli army said they were in international waters when they were finished between 40 and 60 miles from the coast.

The activists on Board came from Australia, Canada, Ireland and the United States, and consisted of Palestinians and at least an Arab citizens of Israel, organizers said.

Sailing to Gaza, the two boats ignored turn instructions or unloaded their supplies in Israel or in neighbouring Egypt continue been, said Israeli military.

Citing the need to prevent that smuggling, Israel has weapons Gaza blocked since the Group of the Islamist Hamas control of the area in the year 2007 taken.

State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said, that the United States agreed that Israel's interception of boats was a measure "appropriate for the (the) Israeli security."

Once, Israeli authorities said the two boats reached Ashdod, she would undergo security checks. Persons on board, would questioned, then taken to prison service facilities hold, where they will wait, booked up on flights home.

You have the right to a hearing before deportation.

A UN report on Israel's control of the Turkish vessel 2010 said, was blocking "legitimate security purposes" add "Meets the implementation of the requirements of international law." Turkey has rejected this decision.

Pro-Palestinian group behind the recent attempt Gaza by sea reach condemn the blockade as illegal and inhumane.

"We are send to keep until the immoral blockade of Gaza is lifted," Claudia said Saba, a spokeswoman for the Irish ship Gaza group State broadcaster RTE.

EXPECTED DEPORTATION

Paul Murphy, Socialist Member of Parliament on Board of one of the ships, wrote in a previous blog post, the mission was in "response to the call of the people of Gaza to try to break the one you the siege under suffer."

Israel allows humanitarian aid, food and some other supplies in Gaza for 1.7 million people, many of them impoverished refugees overland crossings, which closely monitors it. Gaza has also a border with Egypt, who were to be imported.

Gaza Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, praised the attempt, the blockade in a sermon at a mosque on Friday: "We greatly appreciate the activists, the solidarity came and we emphasize that their, target regardless of whether they came through the detection (Israeli) occupation (actions)."

Turkey marine protection for future aid fleets, which had threatened after 2010-violence, but Ankara has kept largely quiet about this last operation.

Some of the activists who described their mission "Freedom waves", had taken part in a foiled seaborne attempt to reach, in June, Gaza, the of sail set from Greece has been blocked.

(Additional reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi, Maayan Lubell, Carmel Crimmins and Washington Newsroom;) Writing by Allyn Fisher-Ilan and Crispian Balmer. (Edit by Sophie hares)