BICOM

The IDF are continuing their preparations to deal with a flotilla of ships that plan to break the naval blockade on Gaza despite the fact that the main organisers, the Turkish-based IHH group, have pulled out of the event. The President of the IHH, Bolant Yilderim said on Friday that the Mavi Marmara ship, which was meant to hold up to 500 passengers, will not sail to Gaza due to “technical reasons”. However, ten ships still plan to sail for Gaza, despite the fact that organisers have found it difficult to recruit volunteers and find ships for the voyage. Organisers have also faced calls from the UN General Secretary Ban Ki-Moon and Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu to rethink the flotilla.

The Israeli Navy have trained and prepared to divert or stop the ships from entering Gaza’s waters, and plan to bring photographers on board to document the events during the operation. Last May, when Navy commandos raided one of the ships in the flotilla and were attacked by violent protesters on board, the only media available was from the organisers. The Navy only released footage from the incident at a later stage. Last Wednesday, the Navy carried out a large-scale drill at sea and practiced boarding a flotilla of ships.