A vessel from the Global Sumud Flotilla entered Gaza’s territorial waters, becoming the first boat from the humanitarian convoy to reach the area, whilst Israeli commandos continue intercepting other ships, with 24 boats still operational and sailing towards the besieged enclave.
The vessel, named Mikeno, is currently in Gaza’s territorial waters, according to the Global Sumud Flotilla’s live tracker, though it remains unclear whether Israeli forces have intercepted it.
Several other boats are positioned near Gaza’s territorial waters as the flotilla continues its attempt to break Israel’s naval blockade.
Israeli military forces have intercepted at least 13 vessels carrying more than 201 activists from 37 countries attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, the activist group confirmed, sparking global protests and diplomatic repercussions.
The flotilla, comprising more than 40 civilian boats with approximately 500 parliamentarians, lawyers and activists, was intercepted in international waters as it sailed towards the besieged Gaza Strip.
Those aboard the intercepted vessels included 30 people from Spain, 22 from Italy, 21 from Turkey and 12 from Malaysia, according to flotilla organisers.
Flotilla spokesperson Saif Abukeshek said approximately 30 ships were still attempting to evade Israeli forces and were “fighting their way” to reach Gaza.
Vessel Mikeno becomes first flotilla boat to reach Gaza’s territorial waters
“The boarding was planned. We are talking about it with Minister Saar, so that there would be no violent actions on the part of the Tel Aviv armed forces, and this has been assured to me,” Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani told national broadcaster RAI.
He added that Italian citizens aboard the ships were likely to be taken to the port of Ashdod before being expelled, with consular staff instructed to assist them.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry released a video showing a navy officer ordering the flotilla to divert to Ashdod “where the aid will undergo a security inspection” before being transferred to Gaza. Israel maintains the naval blockade is a security measure designed to prevent weapons reaching Hamas.
The flotilla released its own footage in response. In it, steering committee member Thiago Avila accused Israel of blocking a humanitarian mission in violation of international law.
“You say that we are entering an active warzone. You are saying that we are entering a place where you are committing war crimes,” Avila said. He cited the International Court of Justice’s provisional ruling that humanitarian assistance to Gaza must not be obstructed.
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Colombian President Gustavo Petro expelled Israel’s entire diplomatic delegation from the country on Wednesday, condemning the interception as a “new international crime by Benjamin Netanyahu”.
Demonstrations took place in major cities around the world, including Ankara, Mexico City, Bogota, Buenos Aires and Madrid, in response to Israel’s interception of the flotilla.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim condemned Israel’s “intimidation and coercion” of vessels carrying “unarmed civilians and life-saving humanitarian supplies for Gaza”.
The Global Sumud Flotilla said on Wednesday its vessels had been “illegally intercepted” by Israeli forces as the convoy attempted to reach Gaza, with organisers reporting that cameras were offline and ships had been boarded by military personnel.
In a statement, the flotilla said it was “actively working to confirm the safety and status of all participants on board”.
The mission, which organisers describe as the largest humanitarian flotilla ever assembled, includes parliamentarians, journalists, lawyers and activists from Europe, the Americas, Asia and the Middle East.
“It is our moral duty to refuse any attempt of an occupying force to control humanitarian aid for the Palestinian people in Gaza,” Avila added. “Therefore, we do not recognise you as a legitimate agent to bring aid to the Palestinian people in Gaza.”
The Global Sumud Flotilla, which set sail with more than 50 vessels and some 500 participants from over 40 countries, says its mission is to deliver humanitarian aid directly to Gaza in defiance of Israel’s blockade.
Israel regards the effort as a provocation and has warned that participants could face detention.
(with information from aljazeera.com)
