Blast strikes protest boat docked in Gaza, activists say Israel to blame

[Jefferson23]

'Gaza's Ark,' set to sail to Europe to protest Israel's blockade of Gaza, was hit by a blast early Tuesday; IDF: We don't respond to such reports.

By Jack Khoury and Gili Cohen | Apr. 29, 2014 |

Activists in the Gaza Strip said Tuesday that the Israeli military was behind the overnight explosion that rocked a boat set to sail to Europe in protest of Israel's blockade of the enclave. The Israel Defense Forces spokesperson declined to comment, stating that the army does not respond to such reports.

The large fishing vessel, named "Gaza's Ark," had been anchored in the Gaza port. At around 3 A.M. the guard on duty received an anonymous call, and was told to get away from the boat.

The guard thought the call was a prank at first, the project's leader in the Gaza strip, Mahfouz Kabarti, told Haaretz. A loud blast was heard from the boat shortly after the call, however, and it sank partially into the water.

The guard was about 200 meters away when the explosion occurred and escaped unscathed, AFP reported.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/1.588062

[bemildred]

1. Why wait until after it sails?

That's the question. It's more deniable this way. Still, it sounds like a smallish explosion.

[Jefferson23]

2. Yes, and thankfully the guard was not on board.

You can usually tell when Israel is pissed and feels they need to remind the Palestinians
who is boss.