ATHENS, April 30 – Israel has stopped aid ships heading to Gaza in international waters near Greece, according to organizers of the flotilla, who have called this action an “escalation of Israel’s impunity.” The...
ATHENS, April 30 – Israel has stopped aid ships heading to Gaza in international waters near Greece, according to organizers of the flotilla, who have called this action an “escalation of Israel’s impunity.”
The ships are part of a second Global Sumud flotilla that has been trying to deliver humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza amid the Israeli blockade. They set sail from Barcelona, Spain, on April 12.
The vessels were seized by Israel late on Wednesday in international waters off the coast of Greece’s Peloponnese peninsula, about hundreds of miles from Gaza, the organizers reported.
“This is piracy,” the group stated. “This is the unlawful seizure of people on the open sea near Crete, showing that Israel feels free to operate without consequences far beyond its own borders.”
The organizers argued that no country has the right to control or police international waters, but claimed Israel has extended its control to the Mediterranean Sea off the European coast.
Israel’s foreign ministry described the flotilla organizers as “professional provocateurs,” asserting that its actions were lawful.
“Given the large number of vessels in the flotilla and the risk of escalation, we had to act quickly to prevent any violations of a lawful blockade in line with international law,” they stated.
ISRAELI SOLDIERS BOARD SHIPS
Footage shared by the flotilla organizers showed Israeli soldiers boarding one of the ships, with crew members wearing life vests and raising their hands in surrender. The crew was then taken aboard Israeli ships.
Greek government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis confirmed that 55 vessels were around 50 nautical miles off the Peloponnese heading towards Crete, and were being monitored by Israeli warships and Greek coastguard boats.
He mentioned that the crew from 17 vessels was safe on Israeli warships, adding that Athens had not been informed about the interception, which occurred outside of Greek jurisdiction.
A live tracker indicated that some boats were sailing close to the southwestern coast of Crete.
SECOND FLOTILLA TO BE INTERCEPTED
Turkey condemned the interception, labeling it a clear violation of international law that threatens navigational safety, and stated it would take measures to support the flotilla.
In October, Israel's military had halted a previous flotilla organized by the same group, arresting Swedish activist Greta Thunberg and over 450 other participants. This followed several attempts to reach the blockaded Gaza by sea.
Israel maintains control over all access to the Gaza Strip, denying that it is withholding supplies from the 2 million residents there.
However, Palestinians and international aid organizations argue that the aid reaching Gaza is still insufficient, despite a ceasefire reached in October that included promises of increased assistance.