Israel intercepts and detains crews of Gaza aid flotilla near Crete | Gaza
Israeli forces captured and detained near the Greek island of Crete the crews of at least 22 boats belonging to a flotilla trying to break Israel’s naval blockade of the Gaza Strip to provide humanitarian aid.
The Global Sumud Fleet, consisting of approximately 58 ships carrying people from 70 countries, set sail from Italy on Sunday.
“Israel’s actions…mark a dangerous and unprecedented escalation, the kidnapping of civilians in the middle of the Mediterranean, 600 miles from Gaza, in full view of the world,” flotilla organizers said in a press release.
The Israeli foreign ministry said the IDF took control of more than 20 boats carrying about 175 activists. According to a live scout It is stated on the fleet’s website that 22 boats have been stopped so far and 36 ships are still sailing.
In footage released by flotilla organizers, an Israeli navy officer can be heard urging activists to change course. The official said: “If you want to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, you can do so through established and recognized channels. Please change your route and return to the port of origin. If you are carrying humanitarian aid, you are invited to go to the port of Ashdod.”
The Global Sumud Fleet responded in a statement on social media: “Same scenario, different year. The Israeli navy thinks that the radio warning can drown out the cries for justice.”
The fleet described the intervention as a “violent raid in international waters”. In a social media post, the group said that “after smashing engines and destroying navigation equipment, the military retreated, leaving hundreds of civilians stranded on powerless, shattered ships in the direct path of a massive approaching storm.”
It was also stated that the ships’ communication was cut off and they were prevented from giving a help signal. The Israeli army declined to comment when asked by Agence France-Presse about the accusations.
Global Sumud France spokeswoman Helene Coron told an online press conference that the operation took place at an “unprecedented” distance from Israel and that those seized included Paris Communist city councilor Raphaelle Primet and 10 other French citizens.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz he said on wednesday It had imposed sanctions on the flotilla, which it said was “organised by the Hamas terrorist organization in cooperation with other international organisations”.
Türkiye’s foreign ministry condemned the intervention in international waters as an “act of piracy”. The statement said, “By targeting the Global Sumud Flotilla, which aims to draw attention to the humanitarian disaster faced by the innocent people of Gaza, Israel also violated humanitarian principles and international law.”
Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur on the West Bank and Gaza, said: “How is Israel allowed to attack and seize ships in international waters just off the coast of Greece/Europe?”
Italy called for the immediate release of Italian citizens in the flotilla. The government said it “condemns the seizure of the Global Sumud Fleet ships… and calls on Israel to immediately release all unlawfully detained Italians.”
Last October, Israel intercepted approximately 40 boats from the Global Sumud Fleet and arrested more than 450 activists, including Greta Thunberg and French MP Rima Hassan.
Swedish officials said Thunberg was held in harsh conditions and witnesses said she was forced to wear an Israeli flag while IDF members took photographs of her. Israel later deported those detained.
The Gaza Strip, administered by Hamas, has been under Israeli blockade since 2007, described by the UN as a “direct violation of international human rights and humanitarian law.” The war in Gaza, triggered by the Palestinian movement’s attack on Israel, led to serious shortages of food, water, medicine and fuel.
