Web Desk: The Israeli navy intercepted the Sumud Flotilla on Thursday as it attempted to deliver humanitarian aid to the besieged Gaza Strip.
According to the aid organization managing the mission, several Israeli speedboats surrounded multiple vessels within the flotilla before armed personnel detained the activists on board. Organizers reported that they lost all contact with their staff shortly after the interception began.
The aid group detailed that the Israeli military utilized advanced technology to halt the mission in international waters. Specifically, soldiers deployed drones and communication jamming equipment alongside armed boarding parties to seize control of the ships.
Consequently, the organizers issued an urgent plea for international governments to intervene and ensure the safety of the humanitarian workers. The action drew immediate and sharp condemnation from various groups.
The Palestinian resistance group Hamas, along with several international human rights organizations, denounced the move as an act of maritime piracy. The interception further complicates the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza by blocking essential supplies.
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