Watch: Moment Israeli navy intercepts activist boats carrying aid to Gaza
Dozens of activists, including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, have been detained by Israeli forces after a flotilla carrying aid bound for Gaza was intercepted.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry said several vessels from the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) had been “safely stopped” and those aboard were being transferred to an Israeli port to be deported.
The boats intercepted were in international waters about 70 nautical miles off the Gaza coast. Israel has been policing this area but does not have jurisdiction there.
Israel said its navy had told the boats to change course as they were “approaching an active combat zone and violating a lawful naval blockade”.
The GSF described the interceptions as “illegal” and “not an act of defence”, but “a brazen act of desperation”.
The group has alleged that one vessel within the flotilla was “deliberately rammed at sea” and said additional boats were hit by water cannon.
A number of countries have expressed concern over the incident. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa who said the interception in international waters was “contrary to international law and violates the sovereignty of every nation whose flag was flown on the dozens of vessels in the flotilla”.
Turkey’s foreign ministry condemned the interception as an “act of terrorism”, and called for the “perpetrators of this attack” to be held accountable.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro has expelled all remaining Israeli diplomats from the country in response, and denounced the interception as an “international crime by [Israel’s Prime Minister] Netanyahu”.
Petro also terminated Colombia’s free trade agreement with Israel, in place since 2020, and called for the release of two Colombians who were ab
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