Israel Intercepts French-flagged Blockade Runner

Lots of news this morning regarding the Israeli Navy enforcing their blockade of Gaza. A French vessel named Dignity-Al Karama was seized this morning. This is the IDF statement put out on the IDF blog.

In accordance with government directives, after all diplomatic channels had been exhausted and continuous calls to the vessel had been ignored, IDF Navy soldiers boarded the Al-Karama in an effort to stop it from breaking the maritime security blockade on the Gaza Strip.

Upon expressing their unwillingness to arrive at the Ashdod port, it was unequivocally necessary to board the vessel and lead it to Ashdod.

The soldiers operated in line with procedures and took every precaution necessary while using all operational tactics determined prior to the operation, and avoid causing harm to the activists on-board while ensuring the safety of the soldiers. Following the boarding, the passengers’ health was examined and they were offered food and beverages.

There is also some video there, which will become more common as video has become the primary weapon in disputes involving states and non-states. Curious though, the French vessel didn't have any humanitarian cargo aboard, meaning the vessels purpose and intent was solely to run the military blockade for political purposes.

As incidents go, there isn't much here. No violence, no humanitarian aid, and the only news to report is that a ship was seized peacefully for trying to run the blockade. As news events go, this is not the big political splash Flotilla organizers were hoping for.