Half of the 44 boats in Global Sumud Flotilla intercepted by Israel
The Global Sumud Flotilla said on its Telegram channel that the remaining vessels were within 46 nautical miles of the enclave early on Thursday. The flotilla originally set out with 44 boats aiming to deliver humanitarian aid
Highlights:
- About 22 flotilla boats still heading toward Gaza
- Israeli navy intercepted 22of the original 44 boats
- Over 200 people from 37 countries on intercepted vessels
- Flotilla aims to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza
- Israel enforces naval blockade to prevent weapons delivery
- Gaza's 2.3 million residents face deteriorating living conditions
22 boats from a pro-Palestinian flotilla were still sailing toward Gaza as of 11:28am Dhaka time after the Israeli navy intercepted 22 others.
The Global Sumud Flotilla previously said on its Telegram channel after the first set of interceptions that the remaining vessels were within 46 nautical miles of the enclave early on Thursday. The flotilla originally set out with about 44 boats aiming to deliver humanitarian aid.
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There has been no update on how many more activists have been detained by Israel after the latest set of interceptions.
Previously, Saif Abukeshek, spokesperson for the Global Sumud Flotilla, said more than 201 people from 37 countries were on board the initial 13 intercepted boats. This included 30 participants from Spain, 22 from Italy, 21 from Turkiye and 12 from Malaysia, among others, according to Al Jazeera.
You can track the locations of the ships from the official website of Global Sumud Flotilla
"We have around 30 ships that are still fighting their way away from the military vessels of the occupation forces trying to reach to the shores of Gaza. They are determined," he added.
Israel, which maintains a naval blockade on Gaza, began stopping the vessels when they reached about 70 nautical miles offshore, according to the group. Those on board the seized boats have been taken to an Israeli port.
The flotilla says its mission is to bring humanitarian supplies to Gaza, where living conditions have deteriorated sharply during Israel's war with Hamas.
Israel says the blockade, in place for more than 15 years, is intended to prevent weapons from reaching Hamas, the Islamist group that governs Gaza. Aid agencies have repeatedly called for greater access to the territory's 2.3 million residents.
