Israel Halts Humanitarian Fleet Bound for Gaza
A fleet of ships carrying humanitarian aid and activists, which was headed for Gaza, has been intercepted and seized by the Israeli military. The operation resulted in the detention of numerous activists from various countries across the globe.
The Final Vessel
A live video feed revealed Israeli forces boarding the last ship of the fleet, which was flying under a Polish flag. This ship, manned by a crew of six, was the last remaining vessel of the once 44-strong fleet, known as the Global Sumud Flotilla.
Activists Arrested
The International Committee to Break the Siege of Gaza issued a statement revealing that several of the detained activists have chosen to go on an indefinite hunger strike since their arrest.
The foreign affairs authority of Israel has reported that four Italian nationals who were part of the flotilla have already been deported. They also stated that they intend to expedite the deportation process for the remaining activists.
According to the same authority, all 461 activists who were detained are currently in good health. The Global Sumud Flotilla has asked for the immediate release of all its activists.
Detained Journalists
A media watchdog based in Paris has criticized Israel’s detention of journalists. These journalists were part of the hundreds of activists arrested from the fleet. The organization claimed that over 20 foreign reporters were on board the fleet.
These journalists were taken into custody when the Israeli navy started intercepting the boats, which were ferrying politicians and activists towards Gaza. The navy also prevented the fleet, which had over 450 people on board, from reaching the Gaza Strip.
The head of the media watchdog's crisis desk, Martin Roux, criticized the arrest of journalists, stating that it was a violation of the right to information. He condemned the illegal arrest of news professionals who were covering a humanitarian operation of unprecedented scale.
The Last Vessel's Journey
The captain of the last vessel, known only as Cameron, revealed via a video call that the boat initially experienced engine issues and, as a result, lagged behind the other vessels. He mentioned that the vessel is now headed towards Gaza.
He said, "We have a bunch of very tough Turks onboard … we’ve got a lady from Oman and myself, and we’re just going to continue in the direction."
The foreign affairs authority of Israel had earlier warned this vessel that it would be prevented from breaching the blockade.
Naval Interception
Since the interception began, the Israeli naval forces have stopped numerous boats carrying humanitarian supplies to Gaza and detained around 500 activists from over 40 countries.
Israel has accused the volunteers of trying to "breach a lawful naval blockade", a claim that contradicts international law. They have intercepted each boat, detained its crew, and transferred them to Israel for deportation.
Among those being held are several high-profile figures, including activist Greta Thunberg, former Barcelona mayor Ada Colau, and Member of European Parliament Rima Hassan.
Global Reaction
The interception of the flotilla, the largest naval aid mission yet to attempt to deliver supplies to the Palestinian enclave, has drawn global attention and condemnation and sparked protests worldwide.
Stephen Cotton, the general secretary of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), which represents over 16.5 million transport workers globally, told reporters that "attacking or seizing nonviolent, humanitarian vessels in international waters" is illegal under international law.
World leaders have also condemned the unlawful seizures, including Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who announced his government was expelling Israeli diplomats and cancelling Colombia’s free trade agreement in light of Israel’s actions.
Several European nations, including Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Spain, Greece and Ireland, have called on Israel to respect the rights of the crew members it has seized.
The United Nations has not yet commented on Israel’s actions, but the UN’s special rapporteur for Palestine, Francesca Albanese, described the interceptions as an "illegal abduction".
She wrote, "My thoughts are with the people of Gaza, trapped in Israel’s killing fields."