Originally Posted by
Canticle
Not bullshit and I stand by my opinion. I didn't see that link, before this post. Sorry about that, You missed quite a bit out. I think, from what I read, on the link, that far more than this small piece you have copied and pasted, does apply, to what went on in international waters.
Perhaps all posting here, should re-read the bits about what happens at sea. Each single section. We know what happened. Telling, isn't it, that 9 humanitarian people, lost their lives, many injured. No Israeli forces killed, only injured, in an operation, which took place at night, upon the high seas, in international waters. Hardly a friendly, board and search, party, if helicopers land troops upon ships in the dead of night, whilst surrounding those ships, with other, seafaring vehicles, which are also armed to the teeth.
You missed out quite a bit, with your cut and paste. I'll just cut and paste the titles of the various sections.
San Remo Manual on International Law Applicable to Armed Conflicts at Sea, 12 June 1994
Full text [Display Introduction] [Display articles]
PART I : GENERAL PROVISIONS
SECTION I : SCOPE OF APPLICATION OF THE LAW
SECTION II : ARMED CONFLICTS AND THE LAW OF SELF-DEFENCE
SECTION III : ARMED CONFLICTS IN WHICH THE SECURITY COUNCIL HAS TAKEN ACTION
SECTION IV : AREAS OF NAVAL WARFARE
SECTION V : DEFINITIONS
PART II : REGIONS OF OPERATIONS
SECTION I : INTERNAL WATERS, TERRITORIAL SEA AND ACHIPELAGIC WATERS
SECTION II : INTERNATIONAL STRAITS AND ARCHIPELAGIC SEA LANES
General rules
SECTION III : EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONE AND CONTINENTAL SHELF
SECTION IV : HIGH SEAS AND SEA-BED BEYOND NATIONAL JURISDICTION
PART III : BASIC RULES AND TARGET DISCRIMINATION
SECTION I : BASIC RULES
SECTION II : PRECAUTIONS IN ATTACK
SECTION III : ENEMY VESSELS AND AIRCRAFT EXEMPT FROM ATTACK
SECTION IV : OTHER ENEMY VESSELS AND AIRCRAFT
SECTION V : NEUTRAL MERCHANT VESSELS AND CIVIL AIRCRAFT
SECTION VI : PRECAUTIONS REGARDING CIVIL AIRCRAFT
PART IV : METHODS AND MEANS OF WARFARE AT SEA
SECTION I : MEANS OF WARFARE
SECTION II : METHODS OF WARFARE
SECTION III : DECEPTION, RUSES OF WAR AND PERFIDY
PART V : MEASURES SHORT OF ATTACK: INTERCEPTION, VISIT, SEARCH, DIVERSION AND CAPTURE
SECTION I :DETERMINATION OF ENEMY CHARACTER OF VESSELS AND AIRCRAFT
SECTION II : VISIT AND SEARCH OF MERCHANT VESSELS
SECTION III : INTERCEPTION, VISIT AND SEARCH OF CIVIL AIRCRAFT
SECTION IV : CAPTURE OF ENEMY VESSELS AND GOODS
SECTION V : CAPTURE OF ENEMY CIVIL AIRCRAFT AND GOODS
SECTION VI : CAPTURE OF NEUTRAL MERCHANT VESSELS AND GOODS
SECTION VII : CAPTURE OF NEUTRAL CIVIL AIRCRAFT AND GOODS
PART VI : PROTECTED PERSONS, MEDICAL TRANSPORTS AND MEDICAL
AIRCRAFT
GENERAL RULES
SECTION I : PROTECTED PERSONS
SECTION II : MEDICAL TRANSPORTS
SECTION III : MEDICAL AIRCRAFT
You cut and pasted one small piece of that document. I have read it and there seem to be many sub-sections, which could be applied to the delivering of humanitarian aid and to the interception of ships upon the high seas, in international waters. Each part, section and sub-section of the document needs to be read. This area is not black and white. There are many shades of grey.
Plus, the Israeli blockade of Gaza. Is it just a sea blockade? Or is this an air and land blockade, also? If so, and if countries and organisations, decide to fly in aid and refuse to land, if ordered to by the Israelis, with Isaraei airforce fighter planes, shoot the such planes, out of the sky.
If Egypt decides to fully open it's border with Gaza, allow ships and planes to land aid in Egypt, so that it can be taken across the border by land, will the Israeli Government, see this as breaking their blockade of Gaza and therefore decide to invade Egypt. After all, they haven't thought it was wrong to invade Lebanon and purely for the sake of Israel....not the Lebanese.
I still say it was piracy and an act of war.