The Israeli army has intercepted a number of ships from the flotilla of vessels carrying humanitarian help to the besieged Gaza Strip, detaining most of the activists on board.
No less than three ships from the Global Sumud Flotilla, made up of 44 vessels and a few 500 activists, have been intercepted roughly 70 nautical miles (130km) from the coast of Gaza, based on organisers.
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Israel’s Ministry of International Affairs mentioned in a put up on X on Wednesday that “a number of vessels” of the flotilla have been “safely stopped and their passengers are being transferred to an Israeli port”.
It wrote that Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, who had been on board the lead ship Alma, “and her mates are secure and wholesome”. The ministry additionally shared a video exhibiting Thunberg.
Up to now, not less than six ships have been intercepted by the Israeli navy, based on the activist group. The names of the vessels are Deir Yassin/Mali, Huga, Spectre, Adara, Alma and Sirius.
A number of ships have been focused by acts of “energetic aggression”, it mentioned. “Florida vessel has been intentionally rammed at sea. Yulara, Meteque and others have been focused with water cannons,” it mentioned on Telegram.
All passengers on board have been unhurt, it added. Earlier than being intercepted, the vessels had succeeded in crusing past the purpose the place the Madleen Flotilla was intercepted by Israeli forces earlier this yr.
Earlier than the interceptions started, the activists warned the Israeli army had reduce off their connection by disabling their gadgets, which affected their cameras, their livestreams and communications methods that allowed the ships to relay messages to the world.
The International Sumud Flotilla’s official channels denounced Israel’s actions in an announcement, saying the mission’s vessels have been being “illegally intercepted”.
“Individuals of conscience have been kidnapped,” it mentioned on X. “The flotilla broke no legal guidelines. What is illegitimate is Israel’s genocide, Israel’s unlawful blockade of Gaza, and Israel’s use of hunger as a weapon.”
The assertion urged supporters to strain governments to behave, writing: “Demand your authorities reduce ties with Israel.”
United States citizen and activist Leila Hegazy, who’s on one of many vessels, posted a prerecorded message on social media stating that her sharing the video means she has been “kidnapped by the Israeli occupation forces and delivered to Israel towards [her] will”.
“I ask you all to strain the US authorities to finish its complicity within the genocide of the Palestinian individuals in Gaza and in addition to make sure the secure return of each humanitarian on this mission,” she mentioned.
Hassan Jabareen, director of the authorized centre Adalah, which has represented flotilla activists up to now, advised Al Jazeera that “this time, we have no idea what Israel will do”.
The activists may very well be deported inside 72 hours, based on the legislation, or delivered to court docket inside 96 hours. He added that some activists may very well be arrested however famous that Israel normally opts for speedy launch.
“In the event that they arrest and detain them, it might probably result in a dropping state of affairs, as a result of media protection will proceed so long as they’re in custody,” Jabareen mentioned.
Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, mentioned the activists could be deported as soon as the Jewish vacation of Yom Kippur concludes on Thursday.
Turkiye’s Ministry of International Affairs condemned Israel’s interception of the boats, denouncing it as an “act of terrorism” and a extreme breach of worldwide legislation. In an announcement, the ministry mentioned it was taking initiatives to make sure the speedy launch of Turkish residents and different passengers detained by the Israeli forces.
Italy’s International Minister Antonio Tajani mentioned the Israeli operation was anticipated to take two to 3 hours. He advised state TV Rai that the boats could be towed to Israel’s port of Ashdod and the activists could be deported within the coming days. He additionally mentioned Israeli forces have been advised “to not use violence”.
As information of the interceptions circulated on social media, protests broke out throughout a number of main world cities, together with Athens, Rome, Berlin, Brussels, Tunis and Ankara. Italy’s largest union referred to as a normal strike for Friday in protest over the remedy of the Sumud Flotilla.
