“We will never stop: 9 more ships 140 nautical miles from Gaza.” With this message, the Global Sumud Flotilla announced on its social channels the continuation of the humanitarian mission towards the Gaza Strip, despite the interception and kidnapping of the crew of the previous expedition. According to what was published on the movement’s Instagram account – followed by over 3 million people – a new fleet of boats attempted to reach Palestine by sea, defying the naval blockade imposed by Israel.
Activists said “a powerful new fleet has now arrived in a critical area” about 140 nautical miles off the coast of Gaza. The new expedition is made up of nine boats belonging to two international collectives: the Freedom Flotilla Coalition and Thousand Madleens to Gaza. On board there are around 150 people from 30 different countries, engaged – according to the organizers – in a civil mission of solidarity with the Palestinian population.
The attack and the interception
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition reported that when the fleet was approximately 120 nautical miles from Gaza, it was attacked by Israeli forces. “At least two boats were boarded and most of the live streaming was interrupted,” we read in the messages released on the mission’s social channels. “The army is trying to divert our route,” added the activists, also sharing a video showing armed soldiers on board Israeli patrol boats. According to what was later reported by the same sources, eight Israeli naval ships surrounded the flotilla before the intervention.
Israel’s confirmation
Israel’s Foreign Ministry confirmed it had intercepted the boats bound for Gaza, calling the action “another vain attempt to violate the legal naval blockade and enter a combat zone.” «The ships and passengers – we read in the press release published on X – were transferred to an Israeli port. Everyone is safe and sound and in good health. They are expected to be promptly expelled.” From the information available on the trackers published online by the participating associations, all nine boats were intercepted.