Another humanitarian flotilla stopped at sea by Israeli forces

The Israeli military intercepted another group of ships en route to the Gaza Strip in international waters, the Israeli Foreign Ministry’s press service reported.

“Another futile attempt to break the legal maritime blockade [of the Gaza Strip] and enter the war zone ended in nothing. The ships and passengers were taken to an Israeli port. All passengers are alive and well and are expected to be deported as soon as possible,” the ministry stated on X, as per Caliber.Az.

According to The Times of Israel, the intercepted vessels were part of a group of nine ships organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition. The flotilla carried approximately 100 pro-Palestinian activists who sought to breach the blockade. The ships departed from a port in Italy around two weeks ago, reportedly carrying humanitarian supplies valued at over $110,000 to assist residents of Gaza.

This interception follows a similar operation last week, when the Israeli Navy detained more than 40 ships from the Sumud flotilla, whose members also attempted to enter Gaza. About 450 activists, including Swedish human rights campaigner Greta Thunberg, were taken to Israel and are now gradually being deported.

By Tamilla Hasanova