Pro-Palestinian activists say Israeli forces have intercepted a flotilla of more than 50 boats carrying aid for Gaza in international waters west of Cyprus. The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) said its fleet was boarded in what it called 'another illegal, high-seas aggression' about 250 nautical miles (460km) from Gaza, which is under an Israeli maritime blockade. Its video stream showed commandos climbing onto several boats.
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the raid was 'effectively neutralizing a malicious plan designed to break the isolation we have imposed on Hamas terrorists in Gaza.' Last month, Israeli forces intercepted 22 boats from the same flotilla near Crete, detaining 181 activists, all but two of whom were released in Greece the following day after widespread international condemnation.
The flotilla's remaining boats sailed to the Turkish port of Marmaris, where 54 boats departed last Thursday towards Gaza, reportedly carrying more than 460 activists from 45 countries.
Live video broadcast on the GSF website showed commandos boarding a sailboat as passengers raised their hands. The organizers demanded safe passage for their legal, non-violent humanitarian mission, stating that governments must act now to stop what they called illegal acts of piracy meant to maintain Israel's siege on Gaza.
Turkey's foreign ministry condemned the intervention by Israeli forces, labeling it a piracy act. Hamas official Basem Naim accused Israel of state terrorism and systematic undermining of international order.
Israel's foreign ministry reaffirmed its claims that the flotilla's purpose was to serve Hamas and disrupt progress on peace efforts. The GSF insisted that they were carrying food, baby formula, and medical aid for the besieged Palestinians, where living conditions remain dire despite previous aid flows.
The ongoing conflict's backdrop started from the Hamas-led attack on Southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in significant casualties and a subsequent Israeli military response in Gaza that has resulted in extensive humanitarian crises.
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the raid was 'effectively neutralizing a malicious plan designed to break the isolation we have imposed on Hamas terrorists in Gaza.' Last month, Israeli forces intercepted 22 boats from the same flotilla near Crete, detaining 181 activists, all but two of whom were released in Greece the following day after widespread international condemnation.
The flotilla's remaining boats sailed to the Turkish port of Marmaris, where 54 boats departed last Thursday towards Gaza, reportedly carrying more than 460 activists from 45 countries.
Live video broadcast on the GSF website showed commandos boarding a sailboat as passengers raised their hands. The organizers demanded safe passage for their legal, non-violent humanitarian mission, stating that governments must act now to stop what they called illegal acts of piracy meant to maintain Israel's siege on Gaza.
Turkey's foreign ministry condemned the intervention by Israeli forces, labeling it a piracy act. Hamas official Basem Naim accused Israel of state terrorism and systematic undermining of international order.
Israel's foreign ministry reaffirmed its claims that the flotilla's purpose was to serve Hamas and disrupt progress on peace efforts. The GSF insisted that they were carrying food, baby formula, and medical aid for the besieged Palestinians, where living conditions remain dire despite previous aid flows.
The ongoing conflict's backdrop started from the Hamas-led attack on Southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in significant casualties and a subsequent Israeli military response in Gaza that has resulted in extensive humanitarian crises.
