Israel thwarts the second flotilla in Gaza in one week, activists claim that the ships were attacked
The Fluil de la Liberté for Gaza said that the Israeli army blurs the signals and had arranged at least two boats. The Israeli army has not yet commented on the incident.
Israel said on Wednesday that it has thwarted another attempt to break its Maritime Blocus from Gaza, by intercepting a flotilla of nine ships organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition. The boats, carrying around 100 activists, had left Italy two weeks ago.
“Another vain attempt to break the legal naval blockade and enter a combat area has resulted in anything,” tweeted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “Ships and passengers are transferred to an Israeli port. All passengers are safe and healthy. Passengers should be expelled quickly.”
The passengers arrested should “be expelled as soon as possible,” added the ministry.
Earlier Wednesday, the Freedom Flotilla for Gaza said that its ships were attacked by the Israeli army, several boats having been intercepted while sailing towards the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli army blurs the signals and at least two boats are arrested, said the flotilla on Instagram.
The Israeli army has not yet commented on the incident.
This interception follows a series of similar maritime clashes in recent weeks. On Thursday, Israel stopped the world flotilla by 42 ships, which carried 479 activists, including the Swedish activist for the climate Greta Thunberg. Since then, almost all detained people have been expelled.
Documents found in Gaza and published by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs report the direct involvement of Hamas in the organization and financing of the Sumud flotilla intended to break the Israeli Blocus of the Gaza Strip. Israel said boats did not transport any help and accused participants of looking for confrontation rather than providing humanitarian aid.
Only seven activists are still in detention, including a Spanish national accused of having bitten an agent of the Israeli prison administration.
Israel and Egypt have maintained restrictions on Gaza to prevent the smuggling of weapons since Hamas took control of the territory in 2007. Since then, Palestinian activists have periodically launched flotries to challenge the blockade. In 2011, an independent UN investigation into the Mavi Marmara incident in 2010 criticized the Israeli forces for their excessive use of force, but confirmed the legality of the blockade.
About 1,200 people were killed and 252 Israelis and foreigners were taken hostage during Hamas attacks against Israeli communities near the border with Gaza on October 7. Of the remaining 48 hostages, around 20 would be alive.
