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Aid Convoy Claims Renewed Israeli Assault Near Gaza
(MENAFN) The Global Sumud Flotilla said Tuesday that Israeli naval forces were continuing operations against its humanitarian convoy in international waters as the vessels attempted to reach the Gaza Strip.
In a statement, the flotilla said: “Interception continues. IOF (Israeli army) military vessels are currently illegally boarding our fleet.” Organizers added, “We are on high alert as we continue towards Gaza. We refuse to be intimidated.”
According to the group, 10 aid boats managed to avoid what it described as 22 hours of Israeli attacks in international waters and were still heading toward Gaza. The organizers stated that the remaining vessels were approximately 121 nautical miles from the Palestinian coastline.
Reports citing an unnamed Israeli security source said Israeli forces had already taken control of more than 40 out of the 54 boats involved in the mission and detained roughly 300 activists participating in the voyage.
The latest developments marked the second reported confrontation involving the convoy within just over a day. The flotilla previously accused Israeli forces of attacking the aid mission on Monday while it was traveling through international waters.
The convoy departed Thursday from Marmaris in Turkey as part of a renewed effort to challenge the Israeli blockade imposed on Gaza since 2007.
This was also not the first incident involving the flotilla. In late April, organizers said Israeli forces intercepted several aid boats near the Greek island of Crete in international waters.
At that time, the flotilla included 345 participants representing 39 countries, among them Turkish nationals. Reports said Israeli forces seized 21 vessels carrying around 175 activists, while other boats redirected toward Greek territorial waters.
According to organizers, most of the detained activists were later released in international waters. However, two participants — one from Spain and another from Brazil — were reportedly transferred to detention facilities inside Israel before eventually being deported.
In a statement, the flotilla said: “Interception continues. IOF (Israeli army) military vessels are currently illegally boarding our fleet.” Organizers added, “We are on high alert as we continue towards Gaza. We refuse to be intimidated.”
According to the group, 10 aid boats managed to avoid what it described as 22 hours of Israeli attacks in international waters and were still heading toward Gaza. The organizers stated that the remaining vessels were approximately 121 nautical miles from the Palestinian coastline.
Reports citing an unnamed Israeli security source said Israeli forces had already taken control of more than 40 out of the 54 boats involved in the mission and detained roughly 300 activists participating in the voyage.
The latest developments marked the second reported confrontation involving the convoy within just over a day. The flotilla previously accused Israeli forces of attacking the aid mission on Monday while it was traveling through international waters.
The convoy departed Thursday from Marmaris in Turkey as part of a renewed effort to challenge the Israeli blockade imposed on Gaza since 2007.
This was also not the first incident involving the flotilla. In late April, organizers said Israeli forces intercepted several aid boats near the Greek island of Crete in international waters.
At that time, the flotilla included 345 participants representing 39 countries, among them Turkish nationals. Reports said Israeli forces seized 21 vessels carrying around 175 activists, while other boats redirected toward Greek territorial waters.
According to organizers, most of the detained activists were later released in international waters. However, two participants — one from Spain and another from Brazil — were reportedly transferred to detention facilities inside Israel before eventually being deported.
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