The Israeli Navy has intercepted one other flotilla of pro-Palestinian activists trying to ship assist to Gaza, in accordance with the organizers.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition and Thousand Madleens to Gaza mentioned on social media that 9 vessels carrying round 150 activists from about 30 international locations had been stopped early Wednesday about 220 kilometres off the Gaza coast. The group mentioned in a publish on X that Israeli naval forces “attacked and illegally intercepted” the ships.
Israel’s International Ministry confirmed the interception, calling it “one other futile try and breach the authorized naval blockade and enter a fight zone.”
The assertion on X mentioned the vessels had been being escorted to an Israeli port and that each one crew members had been “protected and in good well being.” The activists had been anticipated to be deported shortly.
Final week, the Israeli Navy detained greater than 40 boats from an analogous assist flotilla carrying some 400 members from varied international locations, together with Swedish local weather activist Greta Thunberg. Most have since been launched and deported.
Organizers of that earlier mission, referred to as the World Sumud Flotilla, accused Israeli forces of bodily and psychological mistreatment and of violating detainees’ rights — allegations the Israeli authorities dismissed as lies, saying all rights had been absolutely revered.
Critics argue that the quantity of assist carried by such flotillas is just too small to meaningfully help Gaza’s inhabitants. The missions are primarily symbolic acts aimed to point out solidarity with the Palestinians and draw consideration to the state of affairs within the Gaza Strip.
