Gaza: Israeli forces intercepted 13 boats from the international 'Freedom Flotilla' carrying foreign activists and aid bound for the Gaza Strip, while 30 boats continued their journey toward the enclave. The organizers announced the interception, which has drawn significant international attention due to the participation of prominent figures and the humanitarian nature of the mission.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, video footage circulated on social media platforms showed Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg on one of the boats, surrounded by Israeli soldiers. The flotilla, which aims to deliver medicine and food to Gaza, is composed of over 40 civilian boats carrying around 500 people, including parliamentarians, lawyers, and activists. The participants have shared videos on Telegram, asserting that they were kidnapped and taken to Israel against their will, and stressing the non-violent and humanitarian purpose of their mission.
The flotilla has garnered support from several countries, with Turkey, Spain, and Italy providing boats or drones to assist their citizens involved in the effort. The interception sparked large demonstrations in multiple European capitals and cities, such as Rome, Naples, Milan, Brussels, Paris, Berlin, and Istanbul, with protestors condemning the actions of the Israeli forces.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry labeled the Israeli action as a "terrorist act," asserting that it endangered the lives of innocent civilians. In response to the situation, Colombian President Gustavo Petro expelled the entire Israeli diplomatic delegation following the detention of two Colombian participants in the flotilla. Petro criticized the detentions as a potential "new international crime" by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and called for the immediate release of the detained individuals.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim also condemned the interception, highlighting that eight Malaysians were detained by Israeli forces. Anwar's statement accused Israel of showing disregard for both Palestinian rights and global humanitarian concerns by blocking the mission.
The Israeli naval blockade on Gaza, in place since 2007, has led to several attempts by activists to deliver aid by sea. The situation draws parallels to a 2010 incident when nine activists died after Israeli forces boarded a flotilla of six ships carrying pro-Palestinian activists from various countries. Israel has been criticized for previous acts of piracy, seizing ships heading to Gaza and deporting the activists on board.