Military-Strategic Information Section Strategic Division Israel Defense

Military-Strategic Information Section Strategic Division // Israel Defense Forces Flotilla Background Information 30 May 2010 Content Legal Aspects Humanitarian Aid to Gaza Participating Ships

Military-Strategic Information Section Strategic Division // Israel Defense Forces Flotilla to Gaza Legal Aspects

Military-Strategic Information Section Legal Aspects: Maritime Blockade Strategic Division // Israel Defense Forces Following restrictions imposed after the Hamas coup in the Gaza Strip and during the height of operation Cast Lead, an Israeli naval blockade was imposed on 03 January 2010, extending 20 miles from the coast Strip. Based on the Laws of Armed Conflict, a country party to a conflict may legally impose a naval blockade to prevent ships from entering or exiting the territory or territorial waters. Such a naval blockade must comply with a number of terms, including due notice, effectiveness, proportionality. When a naval blockade is imposed, no ships may enter the area. Israel is in a state of ongoing armed conflict with the Hamas, which controls Gaza. The Hamas has routinely targeted Israel with weapons which have been smuggled in by numerous channels, including sea. Supplies that enter Gaza unsupervised are frequently used by the Hamas for its personal goals. Naval blockades are a recognized and legitimate tool to be used during an armed conflict, as reflected in numerous naval handbooks, including that of the UK and the USA. Classified || Slide 3

Military-Strategic Information Section Legal Aspects: Capturing Ships Strategic Division // Israel Defense Forces International Law permits the capture of ships, both hostile or neutral, that seek to breach a naval blockade. To do so, the naval blockade must be legally imposed and the capture must not take place in the territorial waters of a neutral country. A maritime vessel may be boarded prior to entering the area under naval blockade, if there is a reasonable ground to believe that the vessel intends to breach the naval blockade. Classified || Slide 4

Military-Strategic Information Section Strategic Division // Israel Defense Forces Flotilla to Gaza Humanitarian Aid to Gaza

Military-Strategic Information Section Humanitarian Assistance Strategic Division // Israel Defense Forces Israel seeks to ensure a stable security environment. While Hamas refuses the international conditions, Israeli and international efforts are made to ensure that no humanitarian crises occur in Gaza Summary of Aid Transferred in 2009 Summary of Aid Transferred in 2010 (first quarter, January-April) Supply Trucks 30, 920 Supply Trucks 3, 676 Supplies (Tons) 738, 576 Supplies (Tons) 94, 500 Medicine and medical Equipment (Tons) 10, 544 Medical Escorts 5, 380 Medical Escorts 12, 305 Fuel (Liters) 23. 7 millions International Humanitarian Personnel 21, 200 Trucks with equipment For the UNWRA 331 Classified || Slide 6

Military-Strategic Information Section Humanitarian Assistance Strategic Division // Israel Defense Forces Certain types of material, such as cement and iron, are restricted. These products are openly used by Hamas for developing its arsenal (rockets and mortars) and building bunkers and launching sites. Despite the risk, the transfer of these items can be permitted under supervision, once cleared that it is for civilian purposes only. In the first quarter of 2010, 23 tons of iron and 25 tons of cement were transferred Classified || Slide 7

Military-Strategic Information Section Movement of Residents Strategic Division // Israel Defense Forces Despite the inherent dangers involved, Israel permits Gazans and visitors to travel between Gaza and Israel, from Gaza to Judea and Samaria, and even abroad for medical treatment, religious pilgrimages and business trips. When possible, Israel allows for diplomatic activities and trade and commerce with the Gaza Strip. Delegations from abroad 21, 200 activists from international organizations and over 400 diplomatic delegations were permitted entry into Gaza. 2, 200 Palestinians employed by NGO were given exit permits from the Gaza strip. Education, Vacations and Pilgrimages to Holy Sites 147 permits were given to Palestinian students for academic studies around the world. Approximately 400 permits were given to visit Bethlehem from Gaza as well 100 permits to travel abroad. Business and Sports Permits were given to businessmen from Gaza to facilitate business operations. Special permission was given to Gazan footballers compete in international matches abroad. Classified || Slide 8

Military-Strategic Information Section Strategic Division // Israel Defense Forces Flotilla to Gaza Participating Ships

Military-Strategic Information Section Participating Ships Strategic Division // Israel Defense Forces Name: 'Mavi Marmara' Flag: Turkey Maximum Speed: 10 knots Height: 19 meters Width: 93 meters Made in: 1994 Name: 'Defne Y' Flag: Kiribati Maximum Speed: 12 knots Height: 15 meters Width: 95 meters Cargo Capacity: 4412 tons Made in: 1980 Classified || Slide 10

Military-Strategic Information Section Participating Ships Strategic Division // Israel Defense Forces Name: 'Gazze' Flag: Turkey Maximum Speed: 12 knots Height: 10 meters Width: 68 meters Cargo Capacity: 2000 tons Made in: 1981 Name: 'Eleftheri Mesogeios‘ (Sofia) Flag: Greece Maximum Speed: 11. 5 knots Height: 10 meters Width: 64 meters Cargo Capacity: 1133 tons Made in: 1967 Classified || Slide 11

Military-Strategic Information Section Participating Ships Strategic Division // Israel Defense Forces Name: Challenger 1 Flag: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Maximum Speed: 20 knots Length: 30 meters Name: SFENDONH - Boat 8000 Flag: Togo Maximum Speed: 15 knots Length: 30 meters Width: 7 meters Classified || Slide 12

Military-Strategic Information Section Participating Ships Strategic Division // Israel Defense Forces Name: 'Rachel Corrie' Flag: Cambodia Maximum Speed: 12. 5 knots Height: 10 meters Width: 68 meters Cargo Capacity: 1205 tons Made in: 1967 Classified || Slide 13