Tel Aviv: The Israeli military has intercepted a Gaza-bound aid ship attempting to break the Israeli blockade of the Palestinian territory. The intervention resulted in the detention of 21 international activists and journalists, and the seizure of all cargo, which included baby formula, food, and medicine, as stated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition on Sunday.
According to France24.com, the coalition operating the vessel, named Handala, reported that the Israeli military forcefully intercepted the ship in international waters, approximately 40 nautical miles from Gaza. This action took place just before midnight on Saturday, during which cameras and communication equipment were cut off.
The coalition emphasized that all cargo was non-military and civilian, intended for direct distribution to a population suffering from deliberate starvation and a medical crisis due to Israel's blockade, which they claim to be illegal. A statement from the group outlined these intentions clearly.
Adalah, a regional human rights group, condemned the raid on the vessel, claiming it violated international law. They have demanded the immediate release of the 21 detained activists, which include lawmakers and human rights campaigners from ten different countries.
"The flotilla never entered Israeli territorial waters, nor was it intended to do so; it was headed toward the territorial waters of the State of Palestine, as recognized under international law," Adalah stated. They assert that Israel lacks legal jurisdiction or authority over the international waters where the vessel was operating.
Further, Adalah demands the immediate disclosure of the activists' location and legal status. Lawmaker Nicola Fratoianni, from a left-wing environmentalist party, has called upon the Italian government to ensure the safety of the two Italians on board.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition mentioned that among those on board were seven U.S. citizens, including a human rights attorney, a Jewish U.S. war veteran, and a Jewish-American activist.
