Israeli Forces Intercept Gaza Aid Flotilla in International Waters
A coalition behind a group of ships attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to the war-ravaged Gaza Strip said that Israeli forces intercepted its vessels in international waters on Wednesday — the second such incident in a week.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), an international network of pro-Palestinian activist groups, organizes civilian maritime missions aimed at breaking Israel’s blockade of Gaza and delivering humanitarian supplies to Palestinians in the enclave.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement on X that the flotilla’s ships and passengers were safe, had been transferred to an Israeli port, and would soon be deported.
“Another futile attempt to break the legal naval blockade and enter an active war zone has failed,” the ministry said.
It was the second such interception in recent days. Earlier, Israel had detained nearly 40 vessels and more than 450 activists involved in another aid mission, the Global Sumud Flotilla, which also sought to deliver supplies to Gaza.
The FFC accused Israeli forces of “hijacking a humanitarian flotilla,” saying that the ships were “illegally seized” and that participants — including humanitarian workers, doctors, and journalists from around the world — were taken against their will and are now being held under unknown conditions.
“The Israeli military has no legal jurisdiction over international waters. Our flotilla poses no threat,” the coalition said.
According to the group’s Instagram account, the vessels were carrying more than $110,000 worth of medical supplies, respiratory equipment, and nutritional aid intended for Gaza’s hospitals, which are struggling to cope with severe shortages amid widespread hunger.
Officials in Gaza say that nearly 67,000 people have been killed since Israel launched its offensive following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, which left 1,200 Israelis dead and 251 taken hostage.
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