Israeli forces intercepted a flotilla carrying food and medical supplies to the Gaza Strip, officials and organisers said.
The fleet, consisting of nine vessels with 150 crew and activists, was stopped in international waters, according to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition and Thousand Madleens to Gaza, which are coordinating the mission.
Israel’s foreign ministry described the attempt as “another futile effort to breach the legal naval blockade and enter a combat zone.” All passengers were reportedly transferred safely to an Israeli port and are expected to be deported.
The passengers come from multiple countries, including Turkey, whose foreign ministry condemned the interception as “a grave violation of international law” and “an act of piracy.”
The move follows last week’s interception of a 42-boat convoy carrying 479 pro-Palestinian activists, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg.
Israel has enforced a naval blockade of Gaza since 2007 and launched a military campaign following the Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. Gaza authorities say over 67,000 people have been killed and at least 460 have died from malnutrition since the conflict began.
Source: BBC