Navy boards, takes control of 'Rachel Corrie' off Gaza coast
By AP AND JPOST.COM STAFF
06/05/2010 13:35
Military completes takeover of cargo boat without any violent incidents, after it rejected four calls to divert to Ashdod port.
IDF navy forces boarded and took control of the MV Rachel Corrie Saturday afternoon. The troops did not meet any resistance from activists attempting to break the Gaza blockade, and the operation was completed without violent incidents.
The military said its forces boarded the 1,200-ton cargo ship from the sea, not helicopters. Army spokeswoman Lt. Col. Avital Leibovich said Saturday's takeover took only a few minutes and that the vessel was being taken to Ashdod port.