Gaza Mourns Martyrs of Freedom Flotilla

Editorial Note: The following news reports are summaries from original sources. They may also include corrections of Arabic names and political terminology. Comments are in parentheses.

Gaza mourns flotilla dead
Ma'an, June 3, 2010

On Tuesday 1 June, officials in the Gaza Strip held a wake for the martyred activists on board the Freedom Flotilla who were killed by Israeli commandos after they boarded the ships in international waters and attempted to take control over the aid vessels.

Protesters fought off the commandos, and at least ten were shot dead, with Israel refusing to release the information of the dead, wounded and hundreds of other activists from some 33 nations aboard the ships, all trying to reach Gaza in defiance of an Israeli siege on the area, which many have termed a form of collective punishment for 1.5 million civilians.

Gaza residents gathered at the port where the ships were set to dock on Monday afternoon, holding carnations and signs condemning the deaths.

Officials heaped thanks on the organizers, and named the dead "martyrs" who died for the liberation of Palestine at the hands of Israeli soldiers.

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