Gaza-bound aid flotilla being intercepted by Israel in international water along Cyprus
Reuters Photo
Pro-Palestinian activists say Israeli forces have begun intercepting a Gaza-bound aid flotilla in international waters west of Cyprus.
Organisers from the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) said more than 50 boats were being boarded about 250 nautical miles (460km) from Gaza, which is under an Israeli maritime blockade. Live video shared by the group appeared to show armed commandos climbing onto several vessels. The flotilla described the interception as an illegal act of piracy.
There was no immediate response from Israel. Earlier, Israel’s foreign ministry dismissed the flotilla as “a provocation for the sake of provocation” and alleged it involved “two violent Turkish groups.”
The confrontation follows a similar incident last month, when Israeli forces stopped 22 boats from the same flotilla near Crete. Around 175 activists were detained, with all but two released the following day on the Greek island after international criticism. Two activists — Spanish national Saif Abu Keshek and Brazilian national Thiago Ávila — were taken to Israel for questioning and later deported after spending 10 days in custody.
After that interception, the remaining boats sailed to the Turkish port of Marmaris. About 50 vessels departed from there last Thursday, heading south-east towards Gaza.
Activists say they are attempting to deliver urgently needed aid to Palestinians in the territory, where living conditions remain dire and most of the 2.1 million residents are displaced, despite a ceasefire agreed by Israel and Hamas seven months ago. Israel insists the maritime blockade is lawful and says Gaza is “flooded with aid.”
The United Nations said last week that humanitarian efforts continue to be hampered by restrictions on importing spare parts, generators and other critical equipment, as well as shortages of fuel and engine oil. It added that only 86% of supplies initially approved by Israeli authorities for entry into Gaza were ultimately unloaded at border crossings, with the rest sent back.
The war in Gaza was sparked by the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, which killed about 1,200 people and saw 251 taken hostage. Israel’s subsequent military campaign in Gaza has killed more than 72,760 people, according to the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry.
(Source: BBC)