The organizers of a Gaza-bound aid flotilla said on Friday that Israel intercepted its last remaining boat, after earlier interceptions of fellow vessels sparked international protests.
“Marinette, the last remaining boat of the Global Sumud Flotilla, was intercepted at 10:29 a.m. local time (0729 GMT), approximately 42.5 nautical miles from Gaza,” the flotilla said on Telegram. It added that Israeli naval forces had “illegally intercepted all 42 of our vessels — each carrying humanitarian aid, volunteers, and the determination to break Israel’s illegal siege on Gaza.”
Meanwhile, Cyprus confirmed that a boat from the flotilla docked in Larnaca for refueling and humanitarian reasons. The vessel, carrying 21 foreigners, was granted entry after passengers were registered and provided with basic needs and consular assistance, the Cypriot government said on X. Authorities did not confirm whether the vessel was among those intercepted by Israel.
Israel has faced mounting international condemnation after detaining more than 450 activists, including Italian, Spanish and other European nationals, as well as Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg. Officials said the activists, intercepted on over 40 boats, would be deported.
Italy announced on Thursday that deportations are expected to take place via charter flights on Monday and Tuesday. Four Italian parliamentarians who had been aboard the flotilla were released and were scheduled to return to Rome on Friday.
“Marinette, the last remaining boat of the Global Sumud Flotilla, was intercepted at 10:29 a.m. local time (0729 GMT), approximately 42.5 nautical miles from Gaza,” the flotilla said on Telegram. It added that Israeli naval forces had “illegally intercepted all 42 of our vessels — each carrying humanitarian aid, volunteers, and the determination to break Israel’s illegal siege on Gaza.”
Meanwhile, Cyprus confirmed that a boat from the flotilla docked in Larnaca for refueling and humanitarian reasons. The vessel, carrying 21 foreigners, was granted entry after passengers were registered and provided with basic needs and consular assistance, the Cypriot government said on X. Authorities did not confirm whether the vessel was among those intercepted by Israel.
Israel has faced mounting international condemnation after detaining more than 450 activists, including Italian, Spanish and other European nationals, as well as Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg. Officials said the activists, intercepted on over 40 boats, would be deported.
Italy announced on Thursday that deportations are expected to take place via charter flights on Monday and Tuesday. Four Italian parliamentarians who had been aboard the flotilla were released and were scheduled to return to Rome on Friday.
