Many of the activists on board were detained after the Israeli military intercepted several ships from the flotilla of vessels carrying humanitarian aid to the beleaguered Gaza Strip.
According to organisers, at least three ships from the Global Sumud Flotilla, which consists of 44 ships and about 500 activists, were intercepted from Gaza’s coast about 70 nautical miles (130 kilometers).
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In a post on X on Wednesday, the Israeli government’s ministry of foreign affairs stated that “several vessels” of the flotilla were “safely stopped and their passengers are being transferred to an Israeli port.”
Greta Thunberg, a Swedish activist who was on the lead ship Alma, and her friends are safe and healthy, according to the article. A video of Thunberg was also shared by the ministry.
The Israeli navy has so far intercepted at least six ships, according to the activist group. Deir Yassin/Mali, Huga, Spectre, Adara, Alma, and Sirius are the names of the vessels.
According to the report, “active aggression” against several ships was carried out. A Florida ship has been purposefully rammed at sea. Water cannons have been used against Yulara, Meteque, and other people, according to the statement on Telegram.
According to the report, there was no harm to any of the passengers. The ships had been able to sail beyond the point where the Israeli forces had earlier this year intercepted the ship, Madleen Flotilla.
The activists’ warning that the Israeli military had cut off their connection before the interceptions even began by turning off their cameras, livestreams, and communication systems, which allowed the ships to transmit messages around the world.
The mission’s vessels were being “illegally intercepted,” according to a statement released by The Global Sumud Flotilla’s official channels.
On X, it stated that “people of conscience have been abducted.” The “flotilla” violated no laws. Israel’s genocide, Israel’s illegal blockade of Gaza, and Israel’s use of starvation as a weapon are all considered to be illegal.
Demand that your government cut ties with Israel, according to the statement, which urged supporters to do so.
Leila Hegazy, a citizen of the United States and activist on one of the ships, claimed that sharing the video indicated that the Israeli occupation forces had kidnapped her and that she had been “brought to Israel against]her] will.
She urged everyone to press the US government to put an end to its role in the Palestinian people’s genocide in Gaza, as well as to ensure the safety of every humanitarian on this mission, she said.
We do not know what Israel will do, according to Hassan Jabareen, director of the legal center Adalah, which has previously represented flotilla activists.
According to the law, the activists could be deported within 72 hours or tried in court within 96 hours. He noted that Israel typically chooses to allow immediate release for some activists, but that some may be arrested.
According to Jabareen, “it can lead to a losing situation if they are arrested and detained because the media will continue to cover them while they are in custody.”
Danny Danon, Israel’s ambassador to the UN, stated that the activists would be deported once Yom Kippur, a Jewish holiday, came to an end on Thursday.
The Interception of the Boats by Israel was criticized by Turkiye’s ministry of foreign affairs as an “act of terrorism” and a “severe violation of international law.” The ministry stated in a statement that it was implementing measures to ensure the immediate release of Turkish nationals and other Israeli nationals.
The Israeli operation is anticipated to last two to three hours, according to Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani. In the days to come, the activists will be deported from Israel’s port of Ashdod, according to him, according to state TV Rai. He added that Israeli forces had been instructed to “never use violence.”
Source: Aljazeera
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