TEL AVIV – The Israeli navy has intercepted a Gaza-bound support ship searching for to interrupt the Israeli blockade of the Palestinian territory, detaining 21 worldwide activists and journalists and seizing all cargo, together with child formulation, meals and medication, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition mentioned Sunday.
The coalition that operates the vessel Handala mentioned the Israeli navy “violently intercepted” the ship in worldwide waters about 40 nautical miles from Gaza, reducing the cameras and communication, simply earlier than midnight Saturday.
“All cargo was non-military, civilian and meant for direct distribution to a inhabitants dealing with deliberate hunger and medical collapse below Israel’s unlawful blockade,’’ the group mentioned in a press release.
The Israeli navy had no speedy remark. Israel’s Overseas Ministry posted on X early Sunday that the Navy stopped the vessel and was bringing it to shore.
It was the second ship operated by the coalition that Israel has prevented in latest months from delivering support to Gaza, the place meals consultants have for months warned of the chance of famine. Activist Greta Thunberg was amongst 12 activists on board the ship Madleen when it was seized by the Israeli navy in June.
The ship’s interception comes as Israel faces mounting worldwide criticism over the worsening humanitarian scenario in Gaza, with concern rising over rising starvation within the territory amid Israeli restrictions on support.
A regional human rights group, Adalah, mentioned the raid on the vessel violated worldwide legislation. It demanded the speedy launch of the 21 activists, together with lawmakers and human rights campaigners, from 10 nations.
“The flotilla by no means entered Israeli territorial waters, nor was it meant to take action; it was headed towards the territorial waters of the State of Palestine, as acknowledged below worldwide legislation,” Adalah mentioned in a press release. “Israel has no authorized jurisdiction or authority over the worldwide waters wherein the vessel was crusing.”
Adalah demanded speedy disclosure of the activists’ location and authorized standing.
Lawmaker Nicola Fratoianni, of a left-wing environmentalist get together, known as on the Italian authorities to make sure the security of the 2 Italians on board.
Additionally on board had been seven U.S. residents, together with a human rights lawyer, a Jewish U.S. warfare veteran and a Jewish-American activist, in accordance with the Freedom Flotilla Coalition.
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