Lets look at the facts of the blockade and the assault on the flotilla. No one is denying that there is a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, but what is critically at stake here is a media war between Hamas and the Israeli government

• Egypt, an Arab nation whose state religion is Islam, is also participating in the blockade against Hamas.
  
• The Israeli government AGREED to divert all humanitarian supplies on board the flotilla into Gaza
  
• The flotilla was composed of 6 boats... See More
  
• These boats were sponsored by Free Gaza and by the I.H.H.
  
• I.H.H. is a Turkish organization with confirmed ties to Hamas (ties confirmed by Palestinian intelligence), and suspected ties to Al-Qaeda and Iranian organizations.
  
• 5 of the 6 boats were safely stopped and diverted, and the aid delivered
  
• The only boat which was NOT diverted was the largest boat, belonging to the I.H.H.
  
• This boat was too large to have its props fouled by nets.
  
• Fighting broke out immediately after the Israeli forces boarded the boat
  
• Both sides claim they were attacked first.
  
• 9 of the 600 activists aboard the I.H.H. boat were killed. 7 of the Israeli troops were wounded.
  
• The Israeli troops came in with paintball guns (guns that shoot balls of paint, not bullets) and only switched to sidearms after they were attacked.
  
• Film has been found on board the boat where the fighting took place which shows a STAGED attack on the boat in broad daylight. The raid took place at night.
  

Additionally, here we see the Israeli soldiers being assaulted AS THEY BOARD and before any weapons have been fired: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LulDJh4fWI

And here the IDF forces who are boarding from the water are being hit with a stun grenade as they pull up alongside the Turkish boat, and before they get a chance to board at all. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6sAEYpHF24&feature=related

The footage released by al-Jazeera only shows the fighting after it began.


Sources of information on the I.H.H.: http://washingtoninstitute.org/templateC05.php?CID=3208

Additionally, they are part of the "Union of Good" which has been listed as a terrorist organization by the US treasury department: http://www.ustreas.gov/press/releases/hp1267.htm

The Israeli troops came in with paintball guns (guns that shoot balls of paint, not bullets) and only switched to sidearms after they were attacked.