The international fleet headed for Gaza was intercepted, and more than 200 activists on board were arrested. Photo Credit: Global Sumud Flotilla via Instagram
The Israeli Navy intercepted almost 20 ships from the Gaza-bound international fleet and detained more than 200 people, including the renowned Swedish climate and humanitarian activist Greta Samberg. The forces ordered the fleet to change course on the grounds that it was violating a legal naval blockade towards an aggressive war zone. Activists were sailing towards Gaza, aiming to bring humanitarian aid and break Israeli blockade.
On Wednesday evening, October 1st, global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) said through an Instagram post that Israeli forces were on board three ships. “High Alert. Our vessels are illegally intercepted,” Post said. “The cameras are offline and the vessels are boarded by military personnel. We are actively working to check the safety and circumstances of all participants on board.”
On the morning of Thursday 2nd October, the fleet was 46 nautical miles from its destination, but as they approached the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces intercepted at least 20 ships and arrested activists. Those detained are being transported to Israeli ports.
Organizers said 20 fleet ships were intercepted on Thursday morning, and what the Turkish Foreign Ministry called “terrorist law” put the lives of civilians on board. Nearly 20 more ships are still sailing.
The fleet, which sailed nearly 500 activists, including lawyers, lawmakers and human rights advocates, had traveled over a month in the Mediterranean waters, seeking assistance to a Palestinian enclave that had been destroyed by widespread hunger.
