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The Alpha-Omega Report's

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Middle East News Spotlight

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For June 5, 2010

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Israel's Navy interdicted another freighter bound for the Gaza Strip, loaded with alleged humanitarian aid. The "Rachel Corrie" peaceably submitted to Israeli Navy orders and was escorted to a nearby by Israeli port on Saturday, June 5. The ship sails under an Irish flag not Turkish. More details, LINK HERE.

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Israeli military forces interdicted a six-ship flotilla bound for the Gaza Strip with humanitarian aid supplies. Israeli naval warships, helicopters and war planes combined with Israeli commandoes seized control of the flotilla and directed the convoy to the nearby Israeli port city of Ashdod, early Monday morning (May 31).

Israeli commandoes, apparently lowered from hovering helicopters encountered mobs of civilians as the attempted to climb down rope ladders onto the deck of the lead ship, the Turkish-flagged ship named the "Marmora." As some of the commandoes stepped onto the deck, scores of civilians mobbed the soldiers. Reports indicate some soldiers were stabbed with knives and soldiers responded with gunfire. Apparently some civilians grabbed guns from wounded soldiers and fired back.

Israeli Navy warships and patrol boats standing nearby responded with small-arms fire onto the ship inflicting more casualties. There are varying reports as to deaths and number of wounded. Reports generally range from 10 to 15 to as many as 40 with perhaps another 50 to 60 injured. Israeli officials have yet to provide a final tally on the number of dead and wounded. Wounded soldiers and civilians have been taken to a nearby Israeli hospital for treatment.

It should be noted that the flotilla had crossed into Israeli waters initially before turning back into international waters where the IDF caught up with the convoy and the confrontation developed. That the incident occurred in international waters raises serious diplomatic and public relations problems for the Israeli government. It also has raised the ire of the Turkish government, but we'll have more on that in separate articles.

More details on the flotilla attack - LINK HERE. -- Here's BBC coverage including video footage of the incident - LINK HERE.

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Turkey expressed its extreme displeasure with Israel's attack of a Turkish humanitarian convoy bound for the Gaza Strip. The aid convoy had been months is planning and was expected to be a test of Israeli resolve to continue its naval blockade of the Gaza Strip.

Even so, Turkish leaders were taken by surprise at the Israeli response. Turkey's Prime Minister was on a state visit to the South American nation of Chile when the incident took place. The Turkish leader cancelled the remaining portion of his visit and immediately flew back to Turkey for emergency talks. Meanwhile, Turkey's top military commander was also out of the country, meeting in Cairo with Egyptian government and military officials. Turkey's ambassador to Israel has also been recalled home.

Turkish media reports that 66 passengers aboard the Turkish boat Marmora were wounded, with at least 10 others dead. The ship, flying the Turkish flag was carrying about 500 peace activists who made the journey in an effort to safeguard the supplies in order that the entire cargo be delivered into civilian hands of the Palestinians in Gaza.

Initial Turkish television news reported that Turkish Air Force war planes were scrambled after the Israeli attack began but there has been no follow up confirmation of those reports.

For more details, LINK HERE.  Still more details here from CNN - LINK

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At least two additional Aid ships that were part of the original flotilla but developed mechanical problems and were delayed are still expected to make the trip to the Gaza Strip. Some reports indicate that the Turkish Navy and Air Force will provide military protection for the ships. More on this story, LINK HERE.

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Turkey called for an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council following Israel's attack on a Turkish ship loaded with humanitarian aid bound for the Gaza Strip. The UN Security Council met Monday and voted to call for an impartial inquiry into the incident. More on this story,. LINK HERE.

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Israeli officials are preparing for the worst in the aftermath of the IDF attack on the Turkish Aid Flotilla. Protestors reportedly have taken to the streets in West Bank communities such as Nazareth. Israeli authorities have begun to tighten security throughout Jerusalem and have closed off the Temple Mount area to avoid any rioting in that area.

Israel has also placed its forces on high alert all along its borders with Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and the Gaza Strip. IDF intelligence analysts expect retaliatory rocket barrages from the Gaza Strip and possibly from Hezbollah in Lebanon.

An Israeli-Arab leader, Raed Salah, the head of the northern branch of the Israeli-Arab Islamic Movement had been seriously wounded, sparking widespread anger among Israel's Arab minority. Details are sketchy about Salah's wounding and medical condition. Israeli media only reports that he is still alive as we go to posting.

More details on the internal situation within Israel's Arab community - LINK HERE.

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Thousands of Turkish demonstrators have taken to the streets to protest against Israel's attack of the Turkish Aid Convoy. Protestors surrounded the Israeli Consulate in Istanbul. More details, LINK HERE.

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A British newspaper reports that Israel will station at least one of its nuclear-weapons submarines off the coast of Iran. A-O Intelligence Digest notes in its new edition that Israel may have already done so. Read the British article, LINK HERE.

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The Syrian government is denying reports that Hezbollah has missile bases inside Syria. Syrian government claiming the bases are for Syrian military use only.

At the beginning of April , Kuwait’s Al-Rai newspaper reported that Syria had transferred Scud ballistic missiles to Hezbollah. Israel subsequently issued a stern warning that it would consider attacking both Syrian and Lebanese targets in response to a Scud attack on its territory. More details, LINK HERE.

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The US has agreed to a deal at the United Nations that would put pressure on Israel to join the nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT), according to Western diplomats.

Delegates in New York are concluding a month-long round of talks aimed at updating the NPT. Their final draft reportedly urges Israel to join the treaty and subject its nuclear facilities to oversight by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

The document also calls for the United Nations secretary-general to call a meeting of Middle East states in 2012, aimed at creating a region free of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons. More details, LINK HERE.  Additional Coverage, LINK HERE.

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