TEL AVIV – The Israeli authorities have said that 430 activists on board a Gaza-bound aid flotilla were en route to Israel, after their vessels were intercepted at sea.
Sailing from Turkey last week, the Global Sumud Flotilla vessels are the latest in a string of attempts by activists to breach Israel’s blockade of the Palestinian territory, with the last convoy intercepted by Israeli forces in April.
“Another PR flotilla has come to an end. All 430 activists have been transferred to Israeli vessels and are making their way to Israel, where they will be able to meet their consular representatives,” a spokesman from Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said late on May 19.
“This flotilla has once again proved to be nothing more than a PR stunt at the service of Hamas,” the spokesman added.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier denounced the flotilla as “a malicious scheme designed to break the blockade we have imposed on Hamas terrorists in Gaza”.
The United States on May 19 sanctioned four people associated with the Global Sumud Flotilla and accused them of being “pro-terrorist”.
Around 50 ships had departed from south-western Turkey on May 14.
A website tracking the flotilla’s location later showed several vessels being intercepted west of Cyprus.
Nine Indonesian citizens who were part of the flotilla “have all been reported arrested by Israel”, a spokeswoman for Indonesia’s Foreign Ministry said, citing information dated May 20.
Indonesia called on Israel to immediately release all vessels and crew members, adding that “every diplomatic channel and consular measure will continue to be fully utilised”.
Indonesian newspaper Republika earlier said two of its journalists were among the nine Indonesians detained.
Turkey and Spain have condemned the interception.
Organisers said the flotilla also included 15 Irish citizens, including Ms Margaret Connolly, sister of President Catherine Connolly.
Israel controls all entry points into Gaza, which has been under an Israeli blockade since 2007.
During the Gaza war, triggered by Hamas’s October 2023 attack on Israel, the territory has suffered severe shortages of food, medicine and other essential supplies, with Israel at times halting aid deliveries entirely.
A previous flotilla attempt was intercepted in April in international waters off Greece, with most activists expelled to Europe. AFP
