The Israeli military has taken decisive action against a humanitarian flotilla that aimed to break the ongoing siege of war-torn Gaza, leading to the arrest of hundreds of activists from multiple vessels. In a dramatic turn of events, livestream footage captured Israeli forces boarding the last vessel early Friday morning.
The last vessel to be seized was the Polish-flagged Marinette, which reportedly has a crew of six. This boat marked the final chapter for the Global Sumud Flotilla, which originally consisted of 44 vessels dedicated to delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza. The flotilla's mission has attracted significant global attention and has been met with widespread condemnation following the military's actions.
In a statement released by the International Committee to Break the Siege of Gaza, it was revealed that several detainees captured by Israeli forces have initiated an open-ended hunger strike immediately upon their detention. This act of defiance highlights the ongoing commitment of activists to draw attention to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
During a video call with flotilla organizers late Thursday, the Australian captain, who identified himself as Cameron, shared that the Marinette had encountered engine problems, causing it to lag behind the main group. However, he confirmed that the vessel was now "steaming" toward Gaza, stating, "We have a bunch of very tough Turks onboard … we’ve got a lady from Oman and myself, and we’re just going to continue in the direction."
A live video feed of the Marinette, active from 04:00 GMT, showcased the crew navigating the ship as the sun rose over the Mediterranean Sea's international waters. A geo tracker indicated the vessel was approximately 43 nautical miles (about 80km) from Gaza’s territorial waters, highlighting its proximity to the region.
Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs had previously warned the Marinette that its attempt to breach the blockade would not be permitted. Since Wednesday, Israel's naval forces have intercepted numerous boats carrying humanitarian supplies to Gaza, detaining around 500 activists from over 40 countries. Israeli authorities have accused the volunteers of attempting to breach a "lawful naval blockade," a claim that contradicts international law, asserting they will take all necessary steps to prevent such actions.
Among those detained are several prominent figures, including activist Greta Thunberg, former Barcelona mayor Ada Colau, and European Parliament member Rima Hassan. The flotilla, described as the largest naval aid mission aimed at delivering supplies to Gaza, has sparked global protests and outcry against Israel's actions.
Stephen Cotton, general secretary of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), representing over 16.5 million transport workers worldwide, condemned the interception of humanitarian vessels, stating that such actions are illegal under international law. "States cannot pick and choose when to respect international law. The seas must not be turned into a theatre of war," Cotton asserted.
World leaders have echoed condemnation of Israel's actions, with Colombian President Gustavo Petro announcing the expulsion of Israeli diplomats and the cancellation of Colombia’s free trade agreement in response to these events. European nations, including Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Spain, Greece, and Ireland, have also called on Israel to respect the rights of the detained crew members.
While the United Nations has yet to make an official comment on Israel’s actions, the UN’s special rapporteur for Palestine, Francesca Albanese, has characterized the interceptions as an "illegal abduction." Albanese expressed her solidarity with the people of Gaza, who remain trapped in what she referred to as Israel’s "killing fields."
The situation continues to evolve, drawing attention to the severe humanitarian issues faced by the people of Gaza and the international community's response to the Israeli military's actions.
