Israeli forces boarded multiple vessels of a humanitarian aid flotilla bound for the Gaza Strip on Wednesday night, as confirmed by both activists and the Israeli foreign ministry. This action has sparked immediate international attention.
Organizers of the flotilla quickly took to social media, condemning the Israeli Navy’s actions as an ‘illegal interception’ in international waters and labeling it an ‘attack on unarmed humanitarians.’ Video footage circulated online depicts water cannons being used against the vessels.
In contrast, Israel’s foreign ministry announced via social media that ‘several vessels’ had been ‘safely stopped.’ Israeli officials stated that all passengers would be taken to an Israeli port and subsequently deported. A notable video released by the ministry showed renowned climate activist Greta Thunberg, a prominent figure in the flotilla, calmly interacting with military personnel during the boarding process.
The flotilla comprised at least 40 vessels. An American participant, Adnaan Stumo, conveyed in a voice message on Wednesday that while some boats had been boarded, the remaining vessels were cautiously continuing their journey.
Israel has consistently stated its policy of preventing these boats from reaching Gaza’s shores.
Key Questions Answered:
- Who are the participants in this flotilla?
- What is the mission behind this initiative?
- How has Israel officially reacted to the flotilla?
- Have similar attempts to reach Gaza by sea occurred before?
Who is Part of This Flotilla?
The vessels belong to the Global Sumud Flotilla, a coalition of activists vehemently protesting the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Their primary objective is to deliver crucial food supplies to alleviate the severe humanitarian crisis in the region.
Originating from Spain in September, the flotilla gathered additional ships as it sailed across the Mediterranean. Among its notable passengers were climate activist Greta Thunberg, Mandla Mandela (grandson of Nelson Mandela), and several elected Italian lawmakers. Italy itself has recently seen significant anti-war protests.
What is the Mission?
The activists assert their mission is twofold: to breach the blockade on Gaza and establish a maritime humanitarian corridor for aid delivery, and to spotlight the profound suffering within the enclave. Gaza has been under an Israeli blockade since Hamas assumed control in 2007.
Since the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack and the ensuing war, Israel’s restrictions on goods entering Gaza have intensified. Health authorities in Gaza report over 65,000 Palestinian casualties since the conflict began, though these figures do not differentiate between civilian and combatant deaths.
Recent months have seen parts of Gaza grappling with famine, a grim assessment from a UN-backed panel of food experts that Israel has disputed.
On Wednesday night, a video shared by flotilla organizers featured Thiago Ávila, a Brazilian activist and steering committee member, on board one of the vessels. In the footage, he is seen calmly responding to Israeli authorities’ orders to reverse course.
“We are a peaceful, nonviolent humanitarian mission,” Ávila stated in the video, emphasizing that their cargo consisted solely of food, medical provisions, and essential items such as water filters.
The activists, including Ms. Thunberg, had anticipated this confrontation. They extensively livestreamed their Mediterranean journey on social media, with videos showing them actively training for nonviolent responses to potential encounters with Israeli commandos.
How Has Israel Reacted?
Flotilla organizers accuse Israel of breaching international law through its aid restrictions on Gaza and by actively obstructing missions aimed at delivering food to civilians. This has led to ongoing friction with Israeli authorities since the mission commenced.
Israel maintains its resolve to prevent the ships from reaching Gaza, asserting that such efforts violate its naval blockade. Furthermore, Israel has leveled accusations of ties to Hamas against the flotilla, claims which the organizers vehemently deny.
On Wednesday evening, the Israeli foreign ministry stated that the flotilla had been instructed to ‘change course’ due to its approach to ‘an active combat zone and violating a lawful naval blockade.’
The ministry has proposed that the group unload its aid at an Israeli port, from where it could then be transported to Gaza via established channels.
Flotilla organizers have dismissed Israel’s proposal as insincere. They have also alleged Israeli involvement in jamming their communications and drone attacks as they traversed the Mediterranean, citing incidents near Greece last week and at a Tunisian port last month.
Following these reported incidents, both Italy and Spain dispatched naval ships to escort the flotilla for segments of its journey. Turkey also deployed drones to monitor the vessels and record any further potential attacks.
However, as the flotilla neared Gaza, Spanish officials advised against further progression. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also publicly urged the flotilla to turn back, expressing concerns that its continuation could jeopardize ongoing peace efforts.
Are These the First Attempts to Reach Gaza by Sea?
Indeed, activists have a history of attempting to deliver aid to Gaza via maritime routes.
In May, a Gaza-bound vessel named ‘Conscience’ was forced to halt its mission off Malta after being struck by explosions. In separate incidents, Israel intercepted ‘the Madleen’ in June and ‘the Handala’ in July.
A prior attempt in 2010 to stop a different flotilla, organized by a separate group, tragically escalated when Israeli navy commandos boarded one boat, resulting in the deaths of at least nine passengers and injuries to 30 others.
Reporting contributed by Rawan Sheikh Ahmad.