Israeli forces have intercepted and detained the crews of at least 22 boats from a flotilla attempting to break the maritime blockade of the Gaza Strip. The Global Sumud Flotilla, comprising around 58 vessels carrying people from over 70 countries, was stopped near the Greek island of Crete on its way from Italy to deliver humanitarian aid.
Flotilla organisers described the interception as a “violent raid in international waters”, accusing Israeli forces of smashing engines and destroying navigation equipment before leaving hundreds of civilians stranded in the path of an approaching storm. The Israeli military declined to comment on the allegations.
Israel’s defence minister, Israel Katz, said the flotilla had been organised by Hamas, a claim denied by the organisers. Turkey’s foreign ministry condemned the action as “an act of piracy” and a violation of international law. Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called for the immediate release of Italian nationals onboard.
Israeli foreign minister Gideon Saar initially stated that those detained would be taken to Israel but later said they would be transferred to Greece in coordination with Greek authorities. A similar interception occurred in October last year, when more than 450 activists, including Greta Thunberg, were arrested and later deported.
The Gaza Strip has been under an Israeli blockade since 2007, which the UN describes as a contravention of international human rights and humanitarian law. The ongoing war has led to severe shortages of food, water, medicine and fuel in the region.
