Israeli naval forces attacked an international aid flotilla bound for the besieged Gaza Strip and detained more than 450 activists on board, its organizers said Thursday.
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The Global Sumud Flotilla said on the US social media platform Instagram that 42 boats were illegally intercepted by Israeli forces.
“Their passengers unlawfully abducted,” it added. “The world saw what happens when civilians challenge a siege. And still — Marinette sails on.”
According to the International Committee to Break the Siege on Gaza (ICBSG), the vessel Marinette continues sailing toward Gaza but is still far away after a late arrival due to technical malfunctions.
The Sumud Flotilla confirmed that more than 450 activists from 47 countries were transferred to Ashdod Port in southern Israel.
The activists aboard the ships attacked by Israel were of various nationalities, including Spaniards, Italians, Brazilians, Turks, Greeks, Americans, Germans, Swedes, British, and French citizens, and many others.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the detained activists were on their way to Israel's Ashdod Port, from where they would be deported to Europe.
The ministry said one vessel remains at distance, vowing to prevent it from approaching the area.
Israel’s public broadcaster KAN earlier reported that naval forces seized 41 vessels carrying about 400 participants as they sailed toward Gaza in a 12-hour operation.
KAN said all flotilla vessels were towed to Ashdod Port in southern Israel.
The Global Sumud Flotilla said Israeli forces surrounded the vessels as they sailed toward Gaza to challenge Tel Aviv’s years-long Israeli blockade. Activists reported signal jamming and communication cut aboard most of the boats.
Several activists posted videos on social media showing Israeli naval boats approaching the convoy and ordering them to change course.
Violence.
The ICBSG accused Israel of using violence against the activists, saying naval forces rammed one ship, deployed water cannons, and forcibly boarded vessels, while “brutally mistreating peaceful detainees from about 50 countries around the world.”
The aid flotilla was less than 80 nautical miles (148 kilometers) from Gaza before being attacked by the Israeli Navy.
Activists spotted more than 20 Israeli naval boats approaching the convoy, with the navy ordering them to change course.
The attack came as the convoy already passed the point at which the Madleen and Handala ships were also attacked by Israel in June and July.
Livestream footage from the flotilla showed activists donning life vests as the Israeli boats approached the vessels.
The Israeli raid came despite appeals by international organizations, including Amnesty International, for the protection of the aid flotilla. The UN also warned that any attack on the convoy would be unacceptable.
Israel, as the occupying power, has previously attacked Gaza-bound ships, seized their cargo, and deported activists on board.
The flotilla, loaded mainly with humanitarian aid and medical supplies, set sail at the end of August. It was the first time in years that around 50 ships sailed together toward Gaza, carrying hundreds of civilian supporters.
Israel has maintained a blockade on Gaza, home to nearly 2.4 million, for nearly 18 years, and further tightened the siege in March when it closed border crossings and blocked food and medicine deliveries, pushing the enclave into famine. |
