Israeli forces intercepted a flotilla of more than 50 boats carrying aid for Gaza in international waters west of Cyprus on Monday. According to the organisers of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), one of the activists detained by Israel is the sister of Irish President Catherine Connolly.
The organisers said the Israeli forces stormed the flotilla in “another illegal, high-seas aggression” about 250 nautical miles from Gaza. Its live video stream showed soldiers climbing onto the boats as the passengers raised their hands.
The GSF organisers released a statement, “Military vessels are currently intercepting our fleet and [Israeli] forces are boarding the first of our boats in broad daylight.”
“We demand safe passage for our legal, non-violent humanitarian mission,” the statement added “Governments must act now to stop these illegal acts or piracy meant to maintain Israel’s genocidal siege on Gaza.”
Gaza is currently under an Israeli maritime blockade, making it difficult for humanitarian aid to reach the land.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the operation was “effectively neutralising a malicious plan designed to break the isolation we have imposed on Hamas terrorists in Gaza.”
According to the organisers, around 24 Turkish nationals were on board the raided boats.
The Foreign Ministry of Turkey condemned the act, calling it “a new act of piracy”.
The flotilla organisers also added that among the eight Irish citizens detained by Israel, one of them was Dr. Margaret Connolly, sister of Ireland’s President Catherine Connolly.
President Connolly spoke to reporters in London after a meeting with King Charles III.
“It seems like this happened in international waters and it’s a cause of worry really, and I’m very proud of my sister but I’m worried about her,” she said.
Israel had previously intercepted 22 boats from the flotilla near Crete last month, detaining 181 activists and drawing widespread international criticism. Spanish national Saif Aby Keshek and Brazilian national Thiago Avila were taken to israel for questioning and deported after spending 10 days in custody.
