Last boat in Gaza humanitarian flotilla intercepted by Israel
Key Takeaways
- The Israeli military dismantled the Global Sumud Flotilla attempting to break the Gaza siege, arresting hundreds of activists.
- Dozens of vessels were seized, with the final boat, the Polish-flagged Marinette, being taken on Friday morning.
- Detainees include journalists and high-profile figures; some have begun an open-ended hunger strike.
- Israel is processing the deportation of the arrested activists, claiming they are safe and in good health.
- International organizations, including RSF and ITF, condemned the actions as illegal violations of international law.
The Israeli military intercepted and dismantled the Global Sumud Flotilla, an effort by activists to deliver humanitarian aid and break the naval blockade on Gaza, seizing dozens of boats. Hundreds of activists, including over 20 foreign journalists and several high-profile political figures, were arrested, with the final vessel being seized on Friday morning. Israel's Foreign Ministry confirmed the detention of 461 activists, stating they are safe and preparing for their deportation, while some detainees have initiated a hunger strike. International reaction has been strongly negative, with Reporters Without Borders condemning the arrest of journalists as a violation of the right to inform, and the International Transport Workersâ Federation labeling the seizure of nonviolent vessels in international waters as illegal. The Israeli navy has systematically intercepted each boat before transferring the crews to Israel for processing and subsequent deportation.
