Israel intercepts humanitarian flotilla — Gaza still isolated
In recent days, the Israeli army launched a major operation against the Global Sumud Flotilla, which was attempting to break the maritime blockade of Gaza with ships loaded with civilian aid. According to Reuters, the last boat in the flotilla, named Marinette, was intercepted approximately 42.5 nautical miles off the coast of Gaza and its cargo seized.
In total, the army claims to have seized all 42 ships of the campaign, while AP News reports that some 450 activists from various countries, including parliamentarians, lawyers, and volunteers, have been arrested and transferred to the Israeli port of Ashdod.
Detentions, express hearings and legal secrecy
In Ashdod, Israeli authorities held express deportation hearings, often without detainees being able to consult a lawyer, according to the Adalah organization. These procedures are denounced as a serious violation of the right to a fair trial.
Some captives, including Greta Thunberg, are being held in administrative detention, while international campaigns are calling for their release and an independent investigation into the conditions of their arrest.
Justifications, reactions and legal implications
The Israeli government justifies the operation by asserting that the flotilla violates a legal blockade put in place to prevent the transfer of weapons to Hamas. However, human rights defenders and several states have denounced this interception as a violation of international maritime law and humanitarian law, especially when the attack occurs in international waters.
The international response was immediate: massive protests erupted in many cities around the world in support of the captured activists. Several governments, particularly in Europe and the Middle East, condemned the Israeli action and demanded the release of the detainees.
This event confirms that the isolation imposed on Gaza knows no boundaries: humanitarian actions themselves are now criminalized. The international community must respond forcefully to protect life, dignity, and the right to solidarity.
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