Israeli naval forces intercepted a flotilla carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza on Thursday, detaining hundreds of international volunteers, which organizers have termed an “unlawful abduction” occurring in international waters. The operation began on Wednesday night and continued into Thursday as Israeli forces attempted to prevent the aid boats from advancing.
According to Israel’s Foreign Ministry, no vessels from the Global Sumud Flotilla succeeded in breaching the “lawful naval blockade” of Gaza. The ministry stated, “All the passengers are safe and in good health. They are making their way safely to Israel from where they will be deported to Europe.”
The Global Sumud Flotilla, consisting of vessels registered under the flags of at least ten countries, aimed to deliver food, baby formula, and medicine to Gaza when it was blocked at sea. Organizers reported that the convoy faced water cannon assaults and the deployment of foul-smelling “skunk water,” with communications subsequently jammed before participants were taken aboard the MSC Johannesburg, an Israeli naval vessel.
Adalah, a legal organization representing the detained flotilla participants, indicated that Israeli authorities have provided limited information regarding the status of the estimated 443 people detained. They are anticipated to be taken to Ashdod, where organizers claim they will face processing under conditions of “illegal detention.”
Organizers asserted, “This is an unlawful abduction, in direct violation of international law and basic human rights,” urging governments and international institutions to intervene.
The confiscated boats included those bearing Polish, French, Italian, Spanish, Dutch, Algerian, German, and British flags. As of Thursday, several vessels, including the Mikeno under the French flag and the Marinette under the Polish flag, were unaccounted for.
This incident represents the latest effort by international activists to breach Israel’s blockade of Gaza, which organizers characterize as part of “ongoing war crimes” against Palestinians. Israel has consistently defended the blockade as a necessary security measure against Hamas.
Representatives of the Global Sumud declared their intention to persist in efforts to reach Gaza, notwithstanding what they described as escalating repression.
Tags: Israeli Navy, Gaza aid flotilla, activists detained, unlawful interception, maritime aid
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