Aid flotilla organizers announced Monday that Israeli military personnel had taken control of one of their humanitarian vessels bound for Gaza, while communication was severed with a second ship in the eastern Mediterranean waters.
Israel’s foreign ministry had declared earlier that day on X that the country “will not allow any breach of the lawful naval blockade on Gaza.”
The Global Sumud Flotilla vessels had launched their journey Thursday from southern Turkey’s coast, marking their third attempt to transport humanitarian supplies to Gaza following previous interceptions by Israeli forces in international waters.
Video footage captured military ships moving toward the aid vessels on Monday.
“Military vessels are currently intercepting our fleet and (Israeli) forces are boarding the first of our boats in broad daylight,” the Global Sumud Flotilla posted on X.
“We demand safe passage for our legal, non-violent humanitarian mission.”
Israeli officials also urged “all participants in this provocation to change course and turn back immediately” in their public statement.
A previous aid convoy had launched from Spain on April 12, but Israeli military forces intercepted those vessels as well, transporting over 100 pro-Palestinian activists to Crete while detaining two additional individuals in Israel.
