Colombian activist Edda Virginia Manga Otalora described the Israeli special forces raid on a flotilla of aid ships headed for Gaza, which was intercepted Monday before reaching its destination.
Speaking from her home in Stockholm, Manga, who was released from Israeli custody Wednesay, said that the flotilla had been in international waters when it was attacked, reports El Tiempo.
“They tried to get on the boat in two ways: with divers who climbed on board, and men descending from helicopters,” Manga said.
“These men were from a special unit of the Israeli defense force, which carries out operations against terrorist groups; they are trained to kill,” added Manga.
According to the Colombian native, the first person killed was a photographer who had been recording the attack, and in total, sixteen people were killed.
Manga said that she had been treated “fairly well” because she had a Swedish passport, while the Turkish people had their hands and feet tied, and some had hoods put over the heads.
The activists were then told by the Israelis that they had no rights and were taken to a high security prison, where they were offered no means of communication to the outside world.
In order to secure a release, Manga said, she was told she must sign a statement saying that she had entered Israel illegally.
Manga thanked Turkish President Abdullah Gul for providing the plane to take her home to Sweden.
The Israeli raid caused protests worldwide. The United Nations Security Council issued a statement condemning the raid, and said there will be a “prompt, impartial, credible and transparent” investigation.
Click here to read Manga’s blog.