Israeli naval forces intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla, a convoy of more than 50 boats carrying 430 people from over 40 countries, in international waters west of Cyprus, about 250 nautical miles (460 kilometers) from the coast of Gaza. The flotilla, which had departed from southern Turkey, was carrying food, baby formula, and medical aid for Palestinians in Gaza, which is under an Israeli maritime blockade. Israeli authorities detained all participants and later deported them, with most leaving from Ramon Airport near Eilat and the rest from Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv. Turkish authorities arranged charter flights that brought 422 people to Turkey, including 85 Turkish nationals and others from third countries. France confirmed 37 of its nationals were among the group, and Jordan confirmed two of its citizens returned home. Ireland confirmed 15 of its citizens were detained and later deported, including Dr Margaret Connolly, sister of Irish President Catherine Connolly.

The interception drew widespread international condemnation. The foreign ministers of 10 countries, including Spain, Brazil, and India, called the actions violations of international law and international humanitarian law. The United Kingdom, France, Canada, Spain, Portugal, Poland, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, Australia, and the United States all condemned the treatment of the activists. The UK summoned Israel's charge d'affaires in London, and Poland summoned Israel's charge d'affaires in Warsaw, with Polish Foreign Affairs Minister Radoslaw Sikorski demanding an apology and later requesting that National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir be banned from the country. Italy's Foreign Affairs Minister Antonio Tajani asked the European Union to consider sanctions on Ben-Gvir. European Council President Antonio Costa called the behavior completely unacceptable.

The criticism intensified after Ben-Gvir posted a video showing himself taunting activists who were kneeling with their hands tied behind their backs at the port of Ashdod. In the footage, he is seen encouraging security personnel as they push down a female activist who shouts "Free, Free, Palestine," and he tells the detainees in Hebrew, "Welcome to Israel. We are the landlords." Israel's transport minister Miri Regev also posted similar videos from the port. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a rare rebuke of Ben-Gvir, saying that while Israel had the right to prevent the flotilla from reaching Gaza, the minister's treatment of the activists was not in line with Israel's values and norms. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar also condemned his cabinet colleague, writing on social media that Ben-Gvir knowingly caused harm to the state. The Israeli embassy in London said the video had been condemned by other senior political figures, including President Isaac Herzog and Saar, and does not represent Israeli government policy.

The flotilla's organisers accused Israel of illegal, high-seas aggression and said Israeli commandos opened fire at six boats, used water cannon, and intentionally rammed one vessel. The Israeli foreign ministry said no live ammunition was used and that non-lethal means were employed as warnings after multiple warnings were given. One boat managed to get within 80 nautical miles of Gaza before being intercepted. Adalah, an Israel-based rights group representing the detainees, said activists had been physically abused, resulting in severe and widespread injuries, with at least three people taken to hospital. The group said lawyers documented dozens of participants with suspected broken ribs and difficulty breathing, and reported the frequent use of Tasers and rubber bullets during the interception. Adalah also said activists were subjected to severe degradation, sexual harassment, and humiliation. Israeli authorities have not commented on these allegations. An Italian journalist who was among the first to be deported described being taken to the airport in handcuffs with chains on his feet and said Israeli forces physically assaulted the detainees, kicking and punching them while shouting at them. Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee said two non-Irish detainees had been hospitalised and that the Irish government had been denied direct access to the Irish citizens.

Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin called the interception "absolutely unacceptable and wrong" and said people have a right to protest and highlight the humanitarian situation in Gaza. He said Israel's actions were illegal and a breach of international law, and that Israel seems to ignore international condemnation. Martin wrote to European Council President Costa calling for an EU-wide ban on products from Israeli settlements and the suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, and asked for the matter to be placed on the agenda of the next EU summit, scheduled for June 18th and 19th. McEntee called for the immediate release of Irish citizens and said the government planned to publish the long-delayed Occupied Territories Bill in the coming weeks and would push for an EU vote on suspending trade elements of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. During Leaders' Questions in the Dáil, Sinn Féin's Pearse Doherty and Labour's Ged Nash called for the Occupied Territories Bill to be debated and passed as a matter of priority. TDs voted against separate sanctions legislation tabled by People Before Profit-Solidarity by 77 votes to 62. Declan Bree, husband of Dr Margaret Connolly and a former TD, said he had not been able to speak to his wife since Monday and believed Israeli authorities had jammed communications. President Connolly, who was visiting England, said the incident was upsetting, that she was proud of her sister, but that she was very worried about her. Tánaiste Simon Harris said his thoughts were with the president and other families of those detained. Sinn Féin MLA John O'Dowd expressed full support and solidarity with detained activist Helena Kearns and called on both the Irish and British governments to hold Israel accountable. Social Democrat leader TD Holly Cairns urged the government to use its voice and power to act rather than relying on people to risk their lives delivering aid.

Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu congratulated the naval forces commander by radio, saying they were doing an outstanding job with great success. The Israeli foreign ministry said the flotilla was a provocation seeking to help Hamas and that Israel would not allow any breach of its blockade, which it insisted was lawful. The ministry also claimed the flotilla's purpose was to serve Hamas and obstruct progress on a US peace plan. The US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on four people associated with what it called the pro-Hamas flotilla. A spokesman for Israel's foreign ministry said all foreign activists from what it called the PR flotilla had been deported. Hamas official Basem Naim accused Israel of state terrorism and systematic undermining of the international order.

The Israeli foreign ministry described Gaza as flooded with aid, saying more than 1.5 million tonnes of aid and thousands of tonnes of medical supplies had entered the territory over the past seven months. However, the United Nations said many displaced families in Gaza were still forced to shelter in overcrowded tents or severely damaged structures, with limited access to clean water and impaired waste management systems. The UN noted that only 86 percent of humanitarian supplies approved by Israeli authorities for entry into Gaza in April were ultimately offloaded, with the rest returned to their points of origin. Living conditions in Gaza are dire, and most of the 2.1 million population is displaced despite a ceasefire agreed by Israel and Hamas in October 2025.

The Gaza war was triggered by the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, when about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage. Israel responded with a military campaign in Gaza during which more than 72,770 people have been killed, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry.

Original Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 (hamas) (ireland) (gaza) (england) (israel) (palestine)

This article provides limited practical value to a normal person. It reports on the detention of Irish citizens who took part in an aid flotilla to Gaza, but it does not give clear steps, choices, instructions, or tools that a reader can apply in daily life. The article mentions that Ireland will raise the issue at the European Union level and that the Irish foreign ministry is engaging with Israeli authorities, but these are government actions, not things an ordinary person can do. There are no contact resources, hotlines, or practical guidance for readers who want to help the detained citizens or get involved in any meaningful way. The article offers nothing a reader can directly do or try based on its content alone.

On educational depth, the article stays mostly at the surface level. It describes what happened during the flotilla interception and includes statements from Irish politicians and one activist, but it does not explain the legal framework around blockades, international waters, or humanitarian aid delivery in conflict zones. The claim by Israel that the flotilla was trying to break the isolation imposed on Hamas is presented without context about what that isolation means, why it exists, or whether it is legally justified. The UN report about displaced families in Gaza is mentioned without explaining how the displacement happened, what the ceasefire terms are, or why conditions remain so poor despite aid entering the territory. A reader comes away knowing that a confrontation occurred and that people are suffering, but not really understanding the legal, political, or humanitarian systems that produced the situation.

Personal relevance for most people is low unless they are Irish citizens with family members on the flotilla, people planning to join similar aid missions, or individuals directly involved in Gaza humanitarian work. For everyone else, the article describes a diplomatic incident and a distant humanitarian crisis with little meaningful connection to everyday life. The mention of the Irish president's sister being detained may catch attention, but it does not change the personal risk or responsibilities of readers outside Ireland or outside the flotilla.

The public service function of this article is minimal for most readers. It does not include safety guidance for people considering joining aid flotillas, legal advice for citizens detained abroad, or practical steps for families seeking consular assistance. It does not explain how to contact the Irish embassy in Israel, what rights detained citizens have, or what to do if a family member is detained overseas. For readers outside the immediate situation, the article serves mainly as awareness rather than practical guidance.

There is no practical advice in this article for ordinary readers. The statements from Irish politicians are political positions, not actionable guidance. The activist's quote about her detention being an attack on the right to protest is a personal opinion, not a step a reader can follow. The article does not tell readers how to evaluate whether joining an aid flotilla is safe, how to prepare for the risk of detention, or how to support humanitarian efforts in Gaza without putting themselves in danger.

The long-term impact of reading this article is limited. It does not teach lasting decision-making skills or ways to prepare for future situations involving international travel, humanitarian work, or diplomatic incidents. It focuses on a single event and does not provide tools readers can use to evaluate future conflicts, aid missions, or international law disputes more effectively. A reader who finishes this article is not better prepared for similar situations than they were before reading it.

Emotionally and psychologically, the article leans toward creating concern and anger without offering much clarity or constructive response. Phrases like "wrong and unacceptable," "illegal and a breach of international law," and "attack on the right to protest" are emotionally charged. The mention of the president being "very worried about her sister" adds a personal emotional layer. The description of dire living conditions in Gaza, overcrowded tents, and limited access to clean water creates a sense of despair. While the article does include some factual information, the overall emotional weight is concern and outrage, and the practical guidance offered does not counterbalance that with a sense of agency or constructive action.

The article does not use heavily exaggerated or sensationalized language, but it does lean on attention-grabbing elements. The mention of the Irish president's sister being detained, the phrase "attack on the right to protest," and the description of dire conditions in Gaza all add dramatic weight. The focus on Irish citizens in a story about a crisis that overwhelmingly affects Palestinian people is a form of attention-seeking because it centers the experience of a small number of Westerners over the much larger local toll.

The article misses several chances to help readers understand the topic better. It could have explained what international law says about blockades and aid delivery, what rights citizens have when detained abroad, or how to contact consular services in an emergency. It could have provided context for why the ceasefire has not improved conditions in Gaza, or explained what readers should know about the legal and physical risks of joining aid flotillas. It could have taught readers how to evaluate whether a humanitarian mission is likely to succeed or what questions to ask before participating.

For readers who want to engage with situations like this more meaningfully, there are some general steps you can take. When you read about citizens being detained abroad, consider what consular services are available from your country and how to contact them before you travel, because knowing your embassy's phone number and location is one of the most practical things you can do before going anywhere with political or security risks. When an article mentions international waters and blockades, recognize that these are complex legal topics where both sides often have arguments, and that understanding the full picture requires looking at international maritime law rather than accepting one side's framing. When reading about humanitarian crises, think about whether donating to established aid organizations might be more effective and safer than joining physical missions, because organizations with experience in conflict zones often have better access and lower risk than independent flotillas. When an article focuses on a small number of foreign nationals in a crisis that mostly affects local people, notice that this framing can distort how serious the situation is for the local population, who usually bear the greatest burden. When you see strong emotional language like "illegal" or "unacceptable" applied to complex international events, pause and consider what facts would need to be true for that label to be accurate, because legal questions in conflict zones are rarely as simple as they sound in political statements. These approaches rely on common sense and basic reasoning, and they can help you evaluate international incidents more effectively without needing specialized knowledge.

The text uses strong emotional words to make Israel look bad and the flotilla activists look good. The phrase "wrong and unacceptable" is used by the Irish prime minister to describe the detention of Irish citizens. This is a strong word trick that pushes the reader to feel Israel did something clearly bad without showing Israel's side of why they did it. The bias here helps the Irish government and the flotilla activists by making their position seem obviously right. The words are picked to make the reader feel anger toward Israel before hearing any other view.

The text says the flotilla was carrying "food, baby formula, and medical aid" to Gaza. This is a word trick that makes the flotilla look only kind and helpful. It hides the fact that Israel said the flotilla was trying to break a blockade on Hamas. The bias helps the flotilla activists by making their mission seem purely good. The reader is led to believe the flotilla had no other purpose besides helping people.

The text quotes Israel's Prime Minister saying the raid "neutralised a plan to break the isolation imposed on Hamas." The word "neutralised" is a soft word that hides what really happened. It makes the raid sound clean and controlled, like a game move, instead of a forced boarding of boats with people on it. This is a word trick that makes Israel's action seem less harsh than it was. The bias helps Israel by using a calm word for something that many people would call an attack.

The text says Helena Kearns called her detention "an attack on the right to protest, deliver aid, and stand against injustice." This is a strong word trick that makes her detention sound like a crime against basic rights. The word "injustice" is used to make the reader feel that Israel is doing something deeply wrong. The bias helps Kearns and the other activists by framing their cause as morally right. The reader is pushed to see Israel as the bad guy without hearing more facts.

The text says the UN reported that displaced families in Gaza are "sheltering in overcrowded tents or damaged structures, with limited access to clean water." This is a fact picked to show how bad life is in Gaza. The bias helps the Palestinian side by focusing only on suffering. It does not mention that Israel says more than 1.5 million tonnes of aid has entered Gaza. The order of the words makes the reader feel the situation is only Israel's fault.

The text says "more than 72,770 people have been killed" in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. This is a number trick because the source is Hamas, which is one side of the war. The text does not say that Hamas runs the health ministry and might have a reason to give certain numbers. The bias helps the Palestinian side by using a big number without questioning where it comes from. The reader is led to accept the number as fully true.

The text says the Hamas-led attack on 7 October 2023 killed "about 1,200 people and 251 were taken hostage." This fact is placed at the very end of the text, after many paragraphs about Gaza suffering. The order is a word trick that makes the Hamas attack feel less important than the Gaza crisis. The bias helps the Palestinian side by burying the event that started the war. The reader may feel less sympathy for Israel because the attack is mentioned last and briefly.

The text says Ireland "recognised the State of Palestine in 2024 but that it has not changed Israel's behaviour." This is a strawman trick because it makes Israel look like it does not care about world opinion. It hides the reasons Israel might have for its actions. The bias helps the Irish government by making Ireland look like it tried to do the right thing. The reader is pushed to feel that Israel is stubborn and wrong.

The text uses passive voice when it says "10 boats in a 60-vessel convoy were intercepted in international waters." This hides who did the intercepting until later in the sentence. The passive voice is a word trick that delays the reader's understanding of who acted. The bias helps the flotilla activists by making the event sound like something that just happened to them. The reader may feel more sympathy for the activists because the action against them is not clear right away.

The text says the Israeli foreign ministry claimed "Gaza is flooded with aid, with more than 1.5 million tonnes of aid entering over the past seven months." The word "claimed" is used to make this statement sound doubtful. This is a word trick that pushes the reader to not believe Israel. The bias helps the Palestinian side by making Israel's aid numbers seem like a lie. The reader is led to think Israel is not telling the truth.

The text quotes Social Democrat leader Holly Cairns urging the government to "use its voice and power to act rather than relying on people to risk their lives delivering aid." This is a virtue signaling trick because it makes her look like she cares about people's safety. It hides the fact that the flotilla activists chose to go knowing the risks. The bias helps Cairns by making her seem responsible and caring. The reader is pushed to see her as the sensible one.

The text says the flotilla was carrying "humanitarian aid and solidarity to Gaza." The word "solidarity" is a strong word that makes the flotilla seem like a moral mission. It hides any political purpose the flotilla might have had. The bias helps the activists by making their cause seem purely about helping people. The reader is led to believe there was no other reason for the flotilla.

The text does not include any quotes from regular Israeli citizens or soldiers. This is a missing part trick that hides how people on the Israeli side feel. The bias helps the Palestinian side by only showing Irish and Palestinian views. The reader does not get to hear from anyone who might support Israel's actions.

The text says the detention happened in "international waters" more than once. This is a repetition trick that makes the reader feel Israel broke a big rule. The bias helps the flotilla activists by making Israel look like it did something illegal. The reader is pushed to feel that Israel is in the wrong because it acted outside its own waters.

The text says President Connolly is "proud of her sister but very worried about her." This is an emotional word trick that makes the reader feel sorry for the president and her sister. The bias helps the Irish government by showing that even the president's family is affected. The reader is led to feel more anger toward Israel because a president's sister was detained.

The text says Sinn Féin MLA John O'Dowd called on both the Irish and British governments to "hold Israel accountable for actions against the people of Palestine." The phrase "hold Israel accountable" is a strong word trick that assumes Israel did something wrong. It hides any reason Israel might have had for its actions. The bias helps the Palestinian side by making Israel look like a rule breaker. The reader is pushed to agree that Israel should be punished.

The text says "living conditions are dire" in Gaza and that "most of the 2.1 million population is displaced." These are strong words that make the reader feel the situation is very bad. The bias helps the Palestinian side by focusing only on suffering. It does not mention that Israel says it allows aid into Gaza. The reader is led to feel that Israel is not doing enough.

The text says Tánaiste Simon Harris called Israel's actions "illegal and a breach of international law." This is a strong word trick that makes Israel look like a lawbreaker. It hides the fact that other countries might see the situation differently. The bias helps the Irish government by making its position seem clearly right. The reader is pushed to feel that Israel broke the law without hearing other views.

The text says Foreign Affairs Minister Helen McEntee called for the "immediate release of Irish citizens illegally detained in international waters." The word "illegally" is used before any court or group has said the detention was illegal. This is a word trick that makes the reader feel Israel broke the law for sure. The bias helps the Irish government by making its demand seem obviously right. The reader is led to believe the detention was a clear crime.

The text says the flotilla was "boarded by Israeli forces." The word "boarded" is a soft word that hides how rough the boarding might have been. It makes the action sound calm and official. The bias helps Israel by using a gentle word for what might have been a violent event. The reader may not feel as much anger toward Israel because the word sounds mild.

The text says the Gaza war was "triggered by the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023." This is a fact trick because it says Hamas led the attack but does not say more about what Hamas did. The bias helps the Palestinian side by keeping the description short and not going into detail. The reader may not fully understand why Israel responded the way it did.

The text uses the phrase "despite a ceasefire agreed by Israel and Hamas." This is a word trick that makes it sound like the ceasefire is working and Israel is still doing too much. It hides the fact that ceasefires can break down for many reasons. The bias helps the Palestinian side by making Israel look like it is not following the ceasefire. The reader is pushed to feel that Israel is not keeping its word.

The text carries many emotions that work together to shape how the reader feels about the detention of Irish citizens who took part in an aid flotilla to Gaza. These emotions appear in the words chosen by the writer and in the statements made by the people quoted in the article. Each emotion serves a purpose, whether it is to create sympathy, build anger, inspire concern, or push the reader toward a certain view of the events.

Anger and disapproval appear strongly in the words of Irish prime minister Micheál Martin when he calls the detention "wrong and unacceptable." These are strong, clear words that tell the reader Israel did something that should not have happened. The strength of this emotion is high because the words do not leave room for doubt or another view. The purpose is to make the reader feel that Israel's action was clearly bad and that the Irish government is on the side of right. This emotion guides the reader to feel anger toward Israel before hearing any other side of the story.

Worry and distress come through when President Connolly says the incident was "upsetting" and that she is "very worried about her sister." These words carry a strong personal emotion because they connect a world leader's family to the event. The strength is high because the reader can picture a sister being held far from home, and the word "very" makes the worry feel even bigger. The purpose is to make the reader feel sympathy for the president and her family, which in turn makes the detention feel more serious and personal. This emotion pulls the reader closer to the Irish side of the story because it shows that even the president's own family is affected.

Pride appears when President Connolly says she is "proud of her sister." This emotion is moderate in strength and serves to show that the president supports what her sister was trying to do. The purpose is to make the flotilla activists look brave and good, which helps the reader see their actions as worth admiring. This pride guides the reader to view the activists as people doing something meaningful, not as people who made a bad choice.

A sense of injustice and moral outrage runs through Helena Kearns' statement that her detention was "an attack on the right to protest, deliver aid, and stand against injustice." The word "injustice" is a strong word that makes the reader feel something deeply wrong has happened. The strength of this emotion is high because it frames the detention as a crime against basic rights, not just a political disagreement. The purpose is to make the reader feel that Israel is doing something morally wrong and that the activists are heroes standing up for what is right. This emotion pushes the reader to see Israel as the bad guy and the activists as the good guys.

Frustration and blame appear when Tánaiste Simon Harris says Israel "seems to ignore international condemnation" and that "actions must be considered." These words carry a moderate level of frustration because they suggest Israel does not care what the rest of the world thinks. The purpose is to make the reader feel that Israel is stubborn and not listening, which builds a sense that stronger steps are needed. This emotion guides the reader to feel that talking is not enough and that someone needs to do something more.

Urgency and demand come through when Foreign Affairs Minister Helen McEntee calls for the "immediate release" of Irish citizens. The word "immediate" is a strong word that shows this cannot wait. The strength of this emotion is high because it makes the situation feel like an emergency. The purpose is to make the reader feel that the detention is serious and that the Irish government is working hard to fix it. This emotion pushes the reader to support the government's actions and to feel that the detained citizens need to come home right away.

Solidarity and support appear when Sinn Féin MLA John O'Dowd expresses "full support and solidarity" with Helena Kearns and calls on governments to "hold Israel accountable." The phrase "hold Israel accountable" is a strong phrase that assumes Israel did something wrong and should face consequences. The strength is moderate to high because it does not ask whether Israel did something wrong but simply says it should be punished. The purpose is to make the reader feel that Israel must answer for its actions and that the Irish and British governments should take a stand. This emotion guides the reader toward agreeing that Israel should face some kind of penalty.

Concern for human suffering appears when the text describes living conditions in Gaza as "dire" and says most of the 2.1 million population is "displaced." These are strong words that paint a picture of a very bad situation. The strength is high because the numbers and words make the reader feel the scale of the crisis. The purpose is to make the reader feel sorry for the people of Gaza and to understand why the flotilla was trying to help. This emotion builds sympathy for the Palestinian side and makes the flotilla's mission feel important and needed.

A sense of helplessness and criticism comes through when Social Democrat leader Holly Cairns urges the government to "use its voice and power to act rather than relying on people to risk their lives delivering aid." This statement carries moderate emotion because it suggests that ordinary people should not have to put themselves in danger. The purpose is to make the reader feel that the government should do more and that the flotilla activists should not have had to take such big risks. This emotion guides the reader to feel that the situation is serious enough that leaders need to step in.

Defensiveness and justification appear in the Israeli foreign ministry's claim that "Gaza is flooded with aid, with more than 1.5 million tonnes of aid entering over the past seven months." This statement carries a moderate level of defensiveness because it seems to respond to criticism that Israel is not letting enough aid through. The purpose is to make the reader feel that Israel is already doing a lot and that the flotilla may not be needed. However, the word "claimed" used before this statement makes it sound like the reader should not fully believe it, which weakens the emotional impact and pushes the reader to doubt Israel's version.

Sadness and loss appear at the end of the text when it mentions that more than 72,770 people have been killed in Gaza and that about 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage in the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023. These numbers carry strong emotional weight because they show how many lives have been lost on both sides. The strength is high because the numbers are very large and hard to ignore. The purpose is to remind the reader of the human cost of the war. However, the Hamas attack is mentioned at the very end, after many paragraphs about Gaza suffering, which makes it feel less important than the crisis in Gaza. This ordering guides the reader to feel more sadness for Gaza than for the Israeli victims.

Together, these emotions guide the reader to feel sympathy for the detained Irish citizens, worry for their families, anger toward Israel, and concern for the people of Gaza. The emotions are strongest when they involve personal stories, like the president's sister being detained, and when they use strong words like "wrong," "unacceptable," "illegal," and "injustice." The emotions are weaker or more doubtful when they involve Israel's side of the story, because words like "claimed" make those statements seem less trustworthy.

The writer uses several tools to increase the emotional impact of the text. Personal stories, like the president's sister being detained, make the event feel real and close to home, which creates more sympathy than a simple report would. Strong words like "wrong," "unacceptable," "illegal," and "injustice" are used instead of neutral words like "disagreed with" or "questionable," which makes the reader feel more strongly that Israel did something bad. Repeating the idea that the detention happened in "international waters" makes the reader feel Israel broke a big rule, which builds anger and a sense of injustice. Comparing the Irish activists, who are described as carrying "food, baby formula, and medical aid," with Israel, which is described as blocking them, makes the activists look good and Israel look bad. Leaving out quotes from regular Israeli citizens or soldiers hides how people on the Israeli side feel, which keeps the reader focused on the Irish and Palestinian views. Placing the Hamas attack at the very end, after many paragraphs about Gaza suffering, makes it feel less important, which guides the reader to feel more sympathy for Gaza than for Israel. Using the word "claimed" before Israel's statement about aid makes it sound doubtful, which pushes the reader to not believe Israel. Each of these choices works to shape how the reader feels and thinks about the event without the writer having to say directly whether Israel or the activists are right or wrong.