Israel Says Gaza Aid Flotilla Activists Being Taken to Israeli Ports
Israeli authorities said more than 430 activists aboard a Gaza-bound aid flotilla were being transferred to Israel after their vessels were intercepted at sea.
The flotilla, organised under the name Global Sumud Flotilla, had departed from Turkiye last week as part of an effort aimed at highlighting the humanitarian situation in Gaza Strip.
According to a spokesperson for Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, all activists were moved to Israeli vessels and were being transported to Israel, where they would be allowed to meet consular representatives from their respective countries.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticised the flotilla operation and defended Israel’s blockade policies related to Gaza.
The flotilla reportedly included participants and activists from several countries, including Pakistan, Indonesia, Ireland, and others.
Among those reported aboard was Saad Edhi, the son of renowned humanitarian Faisal Edhi and grandson of late philanthropist Abdul Sattar Edhi.
Indonesia’s foreign ministry confirmed that several Indonesian nationals involved in the flotilla had been detained and called for the immediate release of the vessels and crew members.
Meanwhile, Pakistan and nine other countries issued a joint statement condemning the interception of the flotilla and expressing concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
The statement was jointly issued by the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Turkiye, Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, Jordan, Libya, Maldives, and Spain.
Israel has maintained restrictions and controls on access to Gaza since 2007. International humanitarian organisations have repeatedly raised concerns about shortages of food, medicine, and other essential supplies in the territory during the ongoing conflict.
This was not the first such incident involving an aid flotilla. A previous attempt to reach Gaza was also intercepted last month in international waters near Greece.
