www.israelnationalnews.com/news/433104
Israel is holding discussions ahead of a new flotilla expected to depart Italy in late October, while the IDF has already begun initial preparations to stop it.
Israel's defense establishment has begun operational discussions in recent days ahead of an expected new protest flotilla from Europe to the Gaza Strip, Channel 12 News reported.
Organizers of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FCC) announced recently that they intend to launch another flotilla toward the Gaza Strip in October.
The planned voyage will first make stops in Spain, Portugal and Italy before proceeding toward Gaza. Organizers said the flotilla will seek to breach what they described as "the illegal and deadly blockade imposed by Israel on Gaza."
Israeli intelligence officials currently assess that the initiative is relatively small in scale, involving just a few vessels and dozens of pro-Palestinian Arab activists.
However, the defense establishment is preparing for the possibility that the flotilla could grow in size as its departure date approaches.
In response to the intelligence, the IDF has begun making preliminary preparations. Discussions on the matter established a clear policy that Israel will not allow the vessels to breach the maritime blockade.
If the participants refuse to comply with instructions and warnings issued by security forces, it is believed that Shayetet 13 naval commandos could be required to board and take control of the vessels at sea.
In a previous flotilla attempt in June, the Global Sumud flotilla sought to breach the Israeli naval blockade of the Gaza Strip. Israeli Shayetet 13 naval commandos intercepted the vessels and arrested those aboard.
The Global Sumud flotilla consisted of 57 vessels and departed from Marmaris, Turkey, carrying hundreds of anti-Israel activists.
Among those detained was the sister of Ireland's President Catherine Connolly. The Irish President subsequently said she was “very proud" of her sister.
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