Relief Boat Carrying CNN Correspondent Rammed by Israeli Craft

An Israeli patrol boat struck a pleasure craft carrying medical volunteers and supplies to Gaza. Also on board, CNN’s Karl Penhaul. The Dignity was severely damaged when it pulled into the port of Tyre, Lebanon.

The Dignity was carrying 16 passengers — mostly physicians and human rights activists, but also former U.S. Rep. Cynthia McKinney and Penhaul.

Penhaul said two Israeli patrol boats had shadowed the Dignity for about a half hour before the collision. One of the patrol boats shined its spotlight on the Dignity while the other, with its lights off, “very severely rammed” the boat, Penhaul said.

Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor said the military had radioed the vessel to warn them against proceeding to Gaza because it is a closed military area.

Create a social media strategy, launch your campaign, and track the results in our Social Media Marketing Boot Camp starting February 16. The online event and workshop will feature speakers including The Onion‘s Baratunde Thurston (left), Facebook’s Morin Oluwole, and bitly’s Tim Devane. Register now.