The Turkish flotilla to Gaza has come to an end: all 430 activists on board have been transferred to Navy ships and are making their way to Israel.
According to a statement issued this evening (Tuesday) by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in Israel the activists will be able to meet with the consular representatives of their countries.
The Foreign Ministry statement read: "This flotilla has proven once again that it is nothing more than a public relations stunt in the service of Hamas." The statement also said: "Israel will continue to act in full compliance with international law and will not allow any violation of the legal naval blockade on Gaza.".
The IDF began taking control on Monday morning. Footage from the flotilla showed fighters from Fleet 13 taking control of one of the boats.
The 57 vessels set off from Turkey last week in an attempt to break the naval blockade on the Gaza Strip. The flotilla set off from Marmaris, Turkey, with hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists on board. Among the organizers of the flotilla was the Turkish organization IHH, whose activities are banned in Israel because of its close ties to Hamas.
Israel feared that the Turkish flotilla would be more violent than previous flotillas. This was due to the presence of Turkish activists and the involvement of the IHH, which was behind the Mavi Marmara flotilla in 2010. At that time, activists attacked the fighters of Fleet 13 with knives and clubs and even grabbed a fighter's weapon and opened fire.
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