The Global Sumud Flotilla, the largest maritime mission yet to break the blockade on Gaza, reported late Wednesday that Israeli naval forces had begun intercepting its vessels about 100 nautical miles off the coast. The interception comes as the flotilla entered Israeli waters around sunset, coinciding with the start of Yom Kippur.
The group, carrying more than 500 activists, including Greta Thunberg and Mandla Mandela, accused Israel of harassment and electronic jamming since September 30. On Wednesday night, they claimed three Israeli ships surrounded their fleet and had already intercepted three vessels.
The Israeli Defence Force had earlier warned the flotilla it was entering a blockade zone and instructed it to dock at Ashdod Port, where aid would be inspected and transferred to Gaza. Israel’s Foreign Ministry dismissed the flotilla as a “provocation,” not a humanitarian mission.
European leaders, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, urged the activists to turn back and allow the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem to deliver the aid. Meloni warned the mission risked undermining ongoing peace talks.
Previous Gaza-bound flotillas have been intercepted and redirected to Ashdod, with activists deported. The current mission has already faced explosions and suspected sabotage in Malta, Tunisia, and the Mediterranean earlier this year.
source: Maritime Executive / Aljazeera
