Dr Margaret Connolly, the sister of Irish President Michael D. Higgins, has been detained by Israeli forces after her aid flotilla was intercepted at sea, according to activists. The Global Sumud Flotilla Ireland announced the detention on social media, stating that the vessel was part of a mission to deliver humanitarian supplies to Gaza.
In a pre-recorded video posted on Instagram, Dr Connolly said: 'If you are watching this video, it means I have been kidnapped from my boat in the flotilla by the Israeli occupying forces.' She urged viewers to support calls for the immediate release of her companions, and appealed to the Irish government to back the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
The incident has drawn attention to ongoing tensions surrounding attempts to break the Israeli naval blockade of Gaza. The flotilla organisers have condemned the interception as a violation of international law, while Israeli authorities have not yet commented on the detention.
