WEB DESK: Israeli authorities have announced that 430 activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla are being transferred to Israel after their vessels were intercepted at sea.
The convoy, which departed from southwestern Turkey last Thursday with around 50 ships, was described by organisers as a civilian humanitarian mission aimed at challenging Israel’s blockade of Gaza Strip.
According to reports, tracking data showed that several vessels were boarded by Israeli forces west of Cyprus.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed the flotilla as a propaganda effort, describing the mission as a “malicious scheme designed to break the blockade we have imposed on Hamas”.
A spokesperson for Israel’s foreign ministry confirmed that the detained activists were being transported to Israel and would be allowed to meet representatives from their respective consulates.
Meanwhile, the United States imposed sanctions on four individuals linked to the flotilla, accusing them of being “pro-terrorist”.
Pakistan among nations condemning interception
The interception sparked diplomatic criticism, with Pakistan joining nine other countries in issuing a joint statement condemning the Israeli operation.
The statement was co-signed by the foreign ministers of Turkey, Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, Jordan, Libya, Maldives and Spain.
The countries described the flotilla as a peaceful civilian humanitarian initiative and termed Israel’s action “wholly unacceptable”, while expressing concern over worsening humanitarian conditions in Gaza.
Governments have also begun efforts to contact detained nationals. Indonesia’s foreign ministry confirmed that nine Indonesian citizens, including two journalists from Republika, were among those arrested and demanded their immediate release.
Organisers said the detainees also include 15 Irish citizens, among them Margaret Connolly, sister of Irish President Catherine Connolly.
Humanitarian crisis deepens in Gaza
The latest interception follows another incident last month in which a separate aid convoy was stopped in international waters near Greece, with most activists later expelled to Europe.
Israel has maintained a land, sea and air blockade on Gaza since 2007.
Humanitarian conditions in the enclave have deteriorated sharply during Israel’s military operations since October 2023, with shortages of food, medicine, clean water and medical supplies intensifying due to disruptions in aid deliveries.
Organisers of the flotilla said the convoy aimed to deliver urgently needed humanitarian assistance to civilians facing severe hardship inside Gaza.