The term "Gaza flotilla raid" refers to a military operation carried out by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) against a group of ships attempting to break the naval blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip. The raid took place on May 31, 2010, when a flotilla of ships, known as the Gaza Freedom Flotilla, was intercepted by Israeli navy commandos in international waters.
The flotilla consisted of several vessels, primarily the Mavi Marmara, which was the largest and main ship, carrying hundreds of activists and aid supplies bound for Gaza. The purpose of the flotilla was to protest and challenge the Israeli blockade on the densely populated Palestinian territory, as well as provide humanitarian assistance.
The raid turned violent when commandos were met with resistance from some of the activists on board the Mavi Marmara, leading to a clash in which several commandos and activists were injured. Tragically, nine activists were killed during the operation, causing international outrage and condemnation.
The incident sparked heated debate regarding the legality of the blockade and the use of force in intercepting the flotilla. It led to an international investigation and raised questions about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the blockade's impact on Gaza's residents, and the wider issue of maritime blockades and their enforcement.
Overall, the "Gaza flotilla raid" refers to the ill-fated encounter between activists aboard the ships and Israeli commandos, which had significant political, legal, and humanitarian implications.
