Israeli forces attack, intercept Gaza aid vessels: Freedom Flotilla
The Israeli military has attacked a convoy of boats and intercepted several vessels as they sailed toward Gaza, according to the Gaza Freedom Flotilla.
The flotilla said the military first targeted The Conscience, a boat carrying 93 journalists, doctors, and activists, before moving on to intercept three smaller vessels.
Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on X that a raid on the flotilla had occurred.
“Another futile attempt to breach the legal naval blockade and enter a combat zone ended in nothing,” the ministry said.
“The vessels and their passengers have been transferred to an Israeli port. All passengers are safe and in good health and are expected to be deported promptly,” it added.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said he strongly condemned the Israeli action and demanded that Malaysian activists taking part in the flotilla mission be released.
Turkiye’s Foreign Ministry confirmed the flotilla includes its citizens and lawmakers. It called Israel’s actions a “grave violation of international law” and “an act of piracy.”
Irish, French and Danish activists, among other nationals, are also reportedly on board the flotilla.
The FFC, an international network of pro-Palestinian activist groups that organises civilian maritime missions, said the boats were carrying “vital aid” worth more than $110,000 in medicines, respiratory equipment, and nutritional supplies destined for Gaza’s starving hospitals.
“The Israeli military has no legal jurisdiction over international waters,” the organisation said on Instagram. “Our flotilla poses no harm.”
It was the second such incident in recent days, after Israel intercepted about 40 vessels, abducted and detained more than 450 activists in another aid convoy, the Global Sumud Flotilla, that was also attempting to deliver supplies to Gaza. Israel has since deported most of those activists, including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg.
Several activists from that flotilla have alleged physical and psychological abuse while in Israeli custody. Rima Hassan, a French-Palestinian member of the European Parliament, said she was “beaten” by Israeli police after the flotilla was intercepted. American activist David Adler described being “stripped”, “zip-tied”, and “blindfolded” before his detention, as well as being forced to be photographed with Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.
Source: Al Jazeera