Israel intercepts Gaza aid flotilla sailing near Crete
AP News • • general
Key Points:
- Israeli forces intercepted and detained crews of the Global Sumud Flotilla, a group of over 70 boats carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza, while sailing near the Greek island of Crete, about 600 miles from Gaza.
- The flotilla’s organizers condemned the interception as an unprecedented escalation and abduction of civilians in international waters, while Israel stated it was taking around 175 activists from more than 20 boats to Israel.
- Turkey’s foreign ministry condemned the seizure as piracy and a violation of international law, with diplomatic discussions occurring between Turkish and Spanish officials.
- Activists in Greece planned protests, accusing Israel of intercepting the boats within Greece’s maritime search and rescue zone without intervention from Greek authorities.
- The flotilla aims to highlight the humanitarian crisis in Gaza amid ongoing shortages and casualties despite a fragile ceasefire, following previous failed attempts to breach the Israeli blockade.
