Pro-Palestinian activists reported that Israeli forces have intercepted a flotilla of over 50 boats carrying aid bound for Gaza in international waters west of Cyprus. The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) described the boarding as an act of illegal, high-seas aggression taking place 250 nautical miles from Gaza, under Israeli maritime blockade. Live footage from the flotilla showcased commandos boarding the vessels.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu characterized the operation as curtailing an attempt to disrupt the blockade on Hamas by asserting that the flotilla serves as a cover for terrorist activities. This incident follows a previous interception of 22 boats from the same flotilla near Crete last month, leading to the detention of 181 activists, most of whom were subsequently released.
The flotilla, now replete with 54 departing boats from Turkey, is reportedly carrying food, baby formula, and medical supplies for the beleaguered 2.1 million residents of Gaza, who continue to face dire living conditions. Even with claims from Israel’s foreign ministry asserting Gaza is inundated with aid, humanitarian organizations highlight ongoing deficiencies in access to essential services.
Following the initial boarding of boats, GSF organizers made urgent demands for safe passage and urged global governments to intervene against what they labeled as acts of piracy, necessary to maintain Israel's blockade.
