Israeli navy intercepts Flotilla, detains Greta Thunberg along with activists
Israeli troops raided six ships out of a convoy of 47 and detained more than 150 activists onboard, representing 37 different countries, according to Al Jazeera.
Posting a video, the Israeli Ministry wrote, “Already several vessels of the Hamas-Sumud flotilla have been safely stopped and their passengers are being transferred to an Israeli port. Greta and her friends are safe and healthy.”
Earlier, Israel’s Foreign Ministry, citing documents recovered by its troops in Gaza, alleged that Hamas was directly involved in the activist flotilla currently attempting to breach the blockade of the Gaza Strip. According to the Times of Israel, the ministry claimed that the documents point to links between the flotilla’s leaders and Hamas’s foreign arm, the Palestinian Conference for Palestinians (PCPA).
Flotilla spokesperson Saif Abukeshek, in a social media update on Wednesday, said that 13 vessels had been intercepted so far, with around 30 others remaining at sea, determined to continue their journey to Gaza. “They are motivated, and they are doing everything within their hand to break this siege by early morning,” he said. He added that more than 200 activists from 37 countries were on board the flotilla, including groups from Spain, Italy, Türkiye, and Malaysia.
Israeli naval forces first intercepted several boats of the Global Sumud Flotilla on Friday night as they attempted to break the maritime blockade of Gaza. According to the Times of Israel, the military issued several warnings for the flotilla to change course and return. The flotilla, carrying aid and hundreds of activists from over 30 countries, was sailing through international waters when Israeli forces moved in.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry described the effort as the “Hamas-Sumud flotilla,” accusing activists of aiding the group. The navy used water cannons, electronic jamming, and boarding parties to halt the boats.
Criticism of the interception mounted quickly. Former British diplomat Craig Murray argued on X that Israel’s actions violated international law, noting that the flotilla was on the high seas and not in Israel’s territorial waters. “The possession of vessels and the abduction of crews at sea can be pursued as crimes in domestic jurisdictions,” he wrote.
UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese and Colombian President Gustavo Petro had earlier urged Israel to allow the flotilla to proceed unharmed, as reported by Al Jazeera. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim condemned the operation in strong terms, calling it “intimidation and coercion” against unarmed civilians.
“By blocking a humanitarian mission, Israel has shown utter contempt not only for the rights of the Palestinian people but also for the conscience of the world,” he said, adding that Malaysia would use “all legitimate and lawful means” to protect its citizens on board.
Despite the arrests and seizures, flotilla organizers insisted their mission to deliver humanitarian aid and challenge the blockade would continue. “The illegal Israeli interceptions won’t deter us,” the group said in a statement.
Earlier this year, in June, Israel also detained Greta Thunberg alongside other crew members of the Gaza-bound aid ship “Madleen.”
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