I don't think people are realizing what's happening with the Global Sumud Flotilla: it's potentially becoming extremely consequential.
Fact is, at this stage the flotilla is effectively escorted by multiple warships from 3 major countries: Spain, Italy and Turkyie.
The warships are all nominally there to "assist" and "rescue" the flotilla in case shit happens - that's the official story - BUT:
- They obviously have a very strong deterrence effect, so Israel will think twice before attacking
- I frankly cannot believe they wouldn't act if the flotilla gets attacked as this would be a major PR disaster for the governments in questions: your own citizens (including some MPs) getting attacked by Israel in front of your eyes in international waters (or Palestine territorial waters) and you watch it happen from your warship? Hard to see this happen, this is politically suicidal for a government.
- Logically speaking, why send actual warships if you haven't accepted the possibility there might be a confrontation? As the old military adage goes "don't draw your sword unless you're prepared to use it": if it was purely about assistance and rescue, they could have sent coastguard boats for instance. The "rescue and assist" framing is probably about plausible deniability to retain the most flexibility in the actions they can take, and in narrative management.
I'm not sure what's going to happen but as far as I can see there are 3 options:
1) Israel doesn't attack, the flotilla reaches Gaza, which means the blockade is breached and which is a major precedent
2) Israel attacks and the warships of all 3 nations let it happen, which will create a major public opinion disaster
3) Israel attacks and the warships fight them, and you effectively have war between NATO countries and Israel
I think you'll agree that whatever happens, it's consequential no matter what. What I suspect is that the governments in question are betting on Israel blinking first but that they're willing to follow through if Israel calls their bluff, they wouldn't have deployed the warships otherwise.
Palestinian journalist Abdelrahman Alkahlout posted a video on his social media highlighting the importance of Nasser Hospital for journalists working in Khan Younis.
“Since the beginning of the war, I have relied on this spot at Nasser Medical Complex as the only window to access the internet,” Alkahlout said.
“Today, this place was deliberately targeted an attempt to silence our voices and stop us from documenting what is happening in Gaza,” he added.
Nasser Medical Complex was targeted by an Israeli strike on Monday, killing Middle East Eye journalist Mohammad Salama along with 13 others.
@TaliesinEvitel Isn't it to convey her sort of "crisis of faith" during the cinematic? Like normal colour in the beginning versus in the end when she's imbued with the light they are "light infused" bright ellow
Ghosts of K’aresh is here and we’re giving away two of these beauties to celebrate 🌀
For your chance at a Vulpine Familiar mount:
💙 Like → 🔁 Retweet → 💬 Tell me your Broker cartel name (I’m Xy’vitel)
🗓️ Winners announced Aug 10th. GL!
#WoW_Partner#WorldofWarcraft
SNSでメロヴィング朝(飛鳥・奈良時代の時の現オランダ、ベルギー、フランス、スイス、ドイツの一部)の芸術・技術の紹介は少ないと気がしますが本当に素晴らしい作品を作っていました🥰
J’en ai jamais trop parlé mais l’artisanat mérovingien et l’orfèvrerie notamment 🥰
Chose promise, chose due : THREAD sur les sites et marques d'ameublement/déco accessibles. Tu as des goûts Maisons du Monde ou Roche Bobois mais un budget Ikea ? Des solutions existent ! Suis le guide 🧵👇
Finished up tying my tapestries on their new banner poles — in fact, the very same poles used in trade union parades at the Durham miner’s gala! Come see at ICA Chattanooga this Saturday 🫶
What 3D printer do you use? Where did you get this 3D model? 🧐
I've been getting questions like this more and more often in recent years. But it doesn't surprise me! 3D printing is improving and becoming more accessible to us.