At 5.30pm on Tuesday, roughly seven hours after being intercepted on international waters 50 miles off the coast of Gaza.The boat had been stopped by Israeli naval forces after refusing to break its course for Gaza. It was boarded by a force of elite naval commandos and taken over without incident.
Ben Yedua told the Telegraph: "[Today was] a success because the naval blockade wasn't breached and because we didn't give any opportunity to open a supply way to smuggle arms into Gaza. "Everyone must remember this attempt doesn't stand by itself. It's part of a much bigger campaign to open a supply line via the sea to Gaza. We can't be selective. If we want to ensure terrorists won't be able to smuggle arms into Gaza, we must keep this blockade in place."
Rear Admiral Roni Ben Yehuda, deputy commander of the Israeli Navy, watched its progress from the vantage point of Jonah Hill, used by British soldiers during the mandate era as a look out for Jewish ships attempting to dock illegally in Palestine.
Rear Admiral Roni Ben Yehuda, deputy commander of the Israeli Navy, watched its progress from the vantage point of Jonah Hill, used by British soldiers during the mandate era as a look out for Jewish ships attempting to dock illegally in Palestine.
In Athens, where there are hundreds of activists still hoping to sail for Gaza, the IDF stance was met with derision by flotilla organisers.
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