Navy chief: Flotilla will enable Hamas armament

Commander of the Israel Navy Admiral Eliezer Marom urged all the elements involved in the nearing Gaza-bound sail to reconsider their participation.

"I call on all those who have any influence over the flotilla to prevent this unnecessary provocation," he said. Marom spoke at a divers' graduation ceremony, held at the Haifa Naval Base on Sunday.

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"Allowing the sail to reach Gaza Strip will enable Hamas – a radical terror group sponsored by Iran – to get its hands on an uncontrolled arsenal," he said.

Many in the international community have urged organizers to call off the flotilla, he said, reiterating that Israel allows good into the Strip via designated crossings, negating claims of the humanitarian crisis.

"Israel is a law abiding nation, which operates within the boundaries of International Law. Imposing and maintaining a maritime blockade is legal under International Law… The Navy will adhere to the government's orders and will do what it must to prevent ships from breaching the blockade."

Israel, he added, is a sovereign, democratic nation. "We invite all the organizations that wish to shuttle supplies to Gaza to do so in the accustomed ways, coordinate it with the various relief agencies and subject the goods to a security scan," Marom concluded.

Meanwhile, Israel is gearing for the coming flotilla: The IDF held an umbrella-exercise for all corps expected to take part in an operation meant to stop the Gaza-bound sail, should one be called for. Leading the drill were the Naval Commandos.

The IDF stressed it is "gearing for any scenario."

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