Israel Intercepts Gaza-Bound Flotilla, Activists Turned Back
Israel's Naval Operation Against Flotilla
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the country has successfully intercepted another flotilla heading towards Gaza, which was carrying activists. In a post shared on X, he commended the Israeli Navy for halting the vessels before they could reach Gaza. He stated, "Kudos to our Navy! I directed them to stop a flotilla supporting Hamas from landing on Gaza's shores. The operation was a complete success," he remarked.
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Netanyahu further emphasized, "No vessel or Hamas supporter reached our territory, nor did they enter our territorial waters. They were turned back and will return to their home countries. They can continue to view Gaza online." The US State Department expressed support for Israel's actions, with spokesperson Tommy Pigott stating on X, "The US denounces the Global Sumud Flotilla as a baseless and counterproductive stunt organized by a sanctioned pro-Hamas group."
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Pigott added, "Unlike organized assistance efforts coordinated with regional partners under @POTUS's peace plan, this flotilla bypasses mechanisms intended to ensure humanitarian aid reaches civilians. Our allies must take firm action against this stunt, and participants should face appropriate legal repercussions."
Details of the Interception
As reported by the Jerusalem Post, the Israeli Navy intercepted over 20 ships and approximately 175 activists involved in the Global Sumud Flotilla on Wednesday night while they were in international waters. Israel's Foreign Ministry stated that the flotilla was halted due to the significant number of vessels involved, the potential for escalation, and the necessity to uphold a lawful blockade.
The ministry confirmed that the operation was conducted peacefully in international waters without any casualties. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar defended the action, stating on X that Israel had effectively prevented attempts to breach the lawful naval blockade on Gaza and the arrival of vessels from the provocative flotilla.
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Sa'ar noted that all individuals removed from the vessels were unharmed and that, in coordination with Greece, those transferred to Israeli ships would be disembarked on a Greek beach shortly. He urged anyone genuinely interested in providing humanitarian aid to Gaza to do so through the appropriate channels, stating, "Israel will not permit any breach of the lawful naval blockade on Gaza."
The Global Sumud Flotilla condemned the interception, calling it unlawful. In a statement reported by the Jerusalem Post, the group asserted, "What we are witnessing is an attempt to normalize Israeli control over the Mediterranean and an escalation of Israel's impunity. No state has the right to claim, police, or occupy international waters," they added.
(With agency inputs)