Israeli Navy Intercepts Flotilla Bound for Gaza Blockade

Jerusalem, Oct 2 (AP) Israeli navy forces boarded most of the vessels in a flotilla attempting to breach the Gaza blockade, detaining dozens of activists. The organizers reported that while one boat managed to continue its journey, it eventually halted near Gaza's shore on Thursday morning, losing contact shortly thereafter.

The Global Sumud Flotilla noted that 39 of their vessels were intercepted or believed to have been intercepted, as communication with the activists ceased by Thursday morning, following the Israeli operation that started the previous night.

This flotilla, the largest of its kind, attempted to challenge the Israeli blockade on Gaza with over 40 boats and 500 activists. The participants believed that the large number of vessels would complicate efforts by Israeli forces to intercept them all.

While organizers maintained contact with two vessels, one anticipated imminent boarding by Israeli troops. A third vessel, last reported a few miles from Gaza, had contact lost while within territorial waters.

News of the interception sparked protests in several major cities, such as Rome, Naples, Istanbul, Athens, and Buenos Aires. More demonstrations were anticipated on Thursday. Meanwhile, Italy's largest labor union announced a one-day general strike on Friday.

Equipped with a symbolic amount of humanitarian aid bound for Gaza, the flotilla had been live-streaming its journey through cameras aboard various boats until Israeli authorities began the interceptions in international waters on Wednesday evening.

Israeli forces detained numerous activists, including notable figures like Greta Thunberg, former Barcelona mayor Ada Colau, and European Parliament member Rima Hassan.

Israel's Foreign Ministry shared images and videos of the detainees, stating on X that they were "safe and in good health" and would be processed for deportation to Europe.

Initially, activists captured live footage as Israeli vessels approached, deploying water cannons and blinding lights before boarding the flotilla. As an interception counteraction, activists donned life jackets, forming seated circles and raising their hands, some live-streaming before discarding their phones into the sea. The peaceful operation continued into daylight.

Numerous governments criticized Israel's interception, including Türkiye, Colombia, Pakistan, and Malaysia. Italy and France, having advised their citizens to avoid the voyage, worked with Israeli authorities for a prompt and safe return of those detained.

Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni criticized the national union's strike call, citing potential inconveniences to Italians without tangible benefits for Palestinians while speaking in Copenhagen for an EU summit.

Türkiye's Foreign Ministry condemned the interceptions as “terrorism” and a significant international law violation, acting to secure the release of detained citizens. Colombia's President Gustavo Petro announced the expulsion of Israel’s diplomatic delegation, citing ongoing tensions from the flotilla's interception and canceled a free trade agreement, denouncing Israel's blockade as genocide. Pakistan labeled the interception a breach of international law, emphasizing the human suffering in Gaza as a result. Meanwhile, Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim condemned the blockade prevention as a global moral affront. (AP) SKS SKS

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