Navy drill
Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Office
The Navy published Thursday footage from a drill by commandoes in preparation for the "freedom flotilla" to Gaza, scheduled to depart in the coming days.
Various units joined the naval commando unit Shayetet 13 in a drill designed to stop any ship that attempts to breach the naval blockade on the Strip.
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The footage shows unprecedented use of high-powered water hoses aimed at vessels simulating flotilla ships. The tactic, which was not used against the first flotilla in May 2010, joined the Navy's arsenal in a bid stop advancing vessels.
The published footage does not show a raid on the vessels, but the IDF says troops also practised such scenario Wednesday.
The Navy is closely monitoring preparations made by organizers of the flotilla, and has announced that is ready for any violence and will not allow ships to breach the blockade.
On Wednesday, the Turkish IHH organization announced it was reconsidering its participation in the flotilla due to regional developments, among these the anti-government protests in Syria. Despite this, organizers have stressed that the flotilla will proceed as planned.
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