Gaza Herald- In the early hours of Thursday, Israeli naval forces launched a naval raid on vessels belonging to the “Sumud Flotilla” in international waters, in what was described as an act of piracy.
Israeli Army Radio said Israeli forces intercepted 21 of the 58 vessels in the Gaza-bound flotilla, noting the operation was completed within a few hours at dawn without any reported injuries or unusual incidents.
It reported that the operation was conducted more than 1,000 kilometers from Israel’s coastline as part of an initial phase targeting several vessels, adding that further interceptions could follow if the remaining ships do not turn back.
The spokesperson for the “Sumud Flotilla” and member of its steering committee, Rana Hmeideh, said Israeli authorities have intercepted several vessels of the flotilla so far in an attempt to prevent humanitarian aid from reaching the Gaza Strip.
In a press statement, Hmeideh said the flotilla vessels fully adhere to international law, describing their interception by Israeli forces as a clear violation of international conventions.
She emphasized that the flotilla carried only essential food and medical supplies, dismissing Israeli allegations as false and unfounded.
Members of the flotilla’s steering committee said that participants were ready to make significant sacrifices, including risking their lives, to break the blockade on Gaza, adding that the mission was peaceful and humanitarian and aimed at addressing the ongoing starvation crisis.
“Our boats were approached by military speedboats, self-identified as ‘Israel’, pointing lasers and semi-automatic assault weapons, ordering participants to the front of the boats and to get on their hands and knees,” the Global Sumud Flotilla aid mission said on Thursday.
According to the organisation’s Flotilla Tracker map, 22 boats have been intercepted by the Israeli military while 36 are still sailing towards Gaza.
