Israeli forces have intercepted 39 boats carrying activists and aid to Gaza from the Global Sumud Flotilla, with only four vessels believed to still be sailing, according to live tracking data.
The Independent reports that only one boat remains headed to the Gaza Strip, whilst tracking information indicates four vessels are listed as “sailing”.
Two vessels under legal support are heading north towards Cyprus, one vessel remains off the coast of Egypt, and one vessel, Mikeno, is now in Gaza’s territorial waters and is reportedly a few miles from land.
One vessel reportedly reaches Gaza’s territorial waters
Detained activists from earlier interceptions are expected to arrive at Israel’s Ashdod port at approximately 09:00 GMT (noon local time) on Thursday, following their interception by Israeli naval forces at sea. Arrivals are expected to continue throughout the day.
Lawyers aboard flotilla vessels have been documenting alleged violations of international humanitarian and marine law by Israeli forces, with cases to be submitted to the United Nations’ International Court of Justice, according to activists at sea.
Palestine condemns interceptions as ‘attack and aggression’
Palestine’s foreign ministry has condemned Israel’s “attack and aggression” and said it is “gravely concerned” about the safety of activists on board the vessels.
“The State of Palestine recalls that the Global Sumud Flotilla is a peaceful and civilian-led initiative aimed at breaking Israel’s inhumane and illegal blockade of the Gaza Strip and putting an end to Israel’s starvation policy and genocide, in accordance with international law,” the ministry said.
Two boats under legal support head towards Cyprus
A second flotilla has departed from Sicily, Italy, and is now sailing towards Gaza, signalling that activists are continuing efforts to reach Palestinian people and highlight Israel’s blockade of food, water and medicine.
The Global Sumud Flotilla represents the latest attempt by pro-Palestinian activists to breach Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza, which has been in place since 2007.
Israeli authorities maintain that the naval blockade is necessary for security purposes, whilst activists and humanitarian organisations argue it constitutes collective punishment of Gaza’s civilian population under international law.
(information from The Guardian)
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