And more details here — amamzing that that the LA Times actually published this:
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-israel-protesters-slain-20100531,0,7786174.story
“Israel had vowed to intercept the boats, by force if necessary, and tow them to the Israeli port of Ashdod, where passengers would be arrested or deported.
According to an Israeli commando, speaking on condition of anonymity, he and other Israeli soldiers who rappelled onto the boat from a helicopter were immediately attacked by about 30 people on board.
“They beat us up with metal sticks and knives,” he said. “There was live fire at some point against us. ... They were shooting at us from below deck.”
He said activists tossed some of the soldiers from the top deck to the lower deck and the soldiers jumped in the water to save themselves. Activists grabbed some soldiers and tried to hold them hostage, stripping them of their helmets and equipment, he said.
Ten Israeli soldiers were wounded, two seriously, the military said.”
Israel should have sank the boat with everyone on it.
The flotilla provoked the reaction — here is a bit more:
“According to Berlin, flotilla organizers hoped to bring international attention to Israel’s Gaza blockade and expected a confrontation, “but we never expected this kind of violence.”
The group had launched nine previous ships to Gaza, and five were permitted to pass to the territory after being searched by the Israeli navy.”
Ships that carried no weapons were allowed to pass. Note that the organizers deliberately wanted a confrontation so they can “bring international attention” to Israel’s blockade.