Israeli Forces Intercept Flotilla Aimed to Break Gaza Blockade

Tel Aviv, Oct 8 (AP) - Early Wednesday, the Israeli military intercepted a flotilla of nine boats in the Mediterranean Sea attempting to break Israel's naval blockade of Gaza, according to flotilla organizers and the Israeli Foreign Ministry.

The 145 activists aboard, all reported to be in good health, are being brought to shore in Israel for processing and are expected to be deported soon, as stated by the ministry.

This interception follows a recent event where approximately 450 activists, including European lawmakers and climate activist Greta Thunberg, were stopped on more than 40 boats last week in their attempt to reach Gaza with symbolic humanitarian aid.

The earlier interception, involving the Global Sumud Flotilla, received widespread condemnation, sparking large protests in several major cities and prompting a one-day strike across Italy.

This latest group of nine vessels, organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition and the Thousand Madleens to Gaza, condemned the detentions on Wednesday as "arbitrary and unlawful."

Among the activists were doctors, politicians, and three Turkish lawmakers, who were attempting to deliver food and medical aid to Gaza hospitals.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry commented on social media, calling the attempt to breach the legal naval blockade and enter a combat zone "futile."

Organizers reported that the boats were intercepted about 120 nautical miles off Gaza's coast. Video footage released by the organizers showed the flotilla boats being approached and boarded by fast-moving Israeli ships, with no reported injuries.

Previously deported activists from last week's flotilla alleged mistreatment by Israeli guards, claims Israel has denied.

The flotillas' efforts coincide with rising international criticism of Israel's actions in Gaza, where its offensive against Hamas has devastated large areas and resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands.

Currently, Israel and Hamas are engaged in indirect negotiations in Sharm Al-Sheikh, Egypt, alongside high-level leaders from the U.S., Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey. The discussions began following the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on Oct 7, 2023, which resulted in 1,200 deaths and 251 abductions, with 48 hostages still held, about 20 of whom are believed to be alive.

Israel's military campaign has reportedly resulted in the death of over 67,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, associated with the Hamas-led government and viewed by experts as the most reliable estimate. According to the ministry, women and children constitute around half of the fatalities.

Since Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007, Israel has maintained various blockade levels on the territory, citing containment of the militant group. Critics, however, label this as collective punishment.

In recent developments, after war escalation, Israel initially tightened the blockade but later relaxed it under U.S. pressure. In March, Israel cut off all food, medicine, and goods from Gaza for over two months, exacerbating the region's slide into famine.

The flotillas aim to break Israel's blockade and establish a maritime humanitarian corridor due to the minimal aid currently reaching Gaza by land.

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