The Global Sumud Flotilla (Photo: Mehmet Emin Caliskan/ Reuters)
According to Ynet Global, the flotilla includes about 50 ships and about 500 activists. Israeli forces have taken control of some of the largest ships in the convoy, expecting that the remaining participants will change course and refuse to move further toward the Gaza Strip.
During the Israeli military’s landing, some activists continued to broadcast live. Published footage shows protesters throwing cell phones into the sea before the military boarded.
Israel called the flotilla a political provocation
Israel’s Foreign Ministry said shortly before the operation began that it was not a humanitarian mission but a “provocation.” The agency also claims that the organization of the flotilla involves Turkish structures Mavi Marmara and IHH, the latter in the Israeli interpretation is associated with terrorist activities.
The Israeli authorities said they would not allow the violation of the naval blockade of the Gaza Strip and warned the protesters to change course.
According to the publication, Israeli forces were preparing for possible resistance from the activists. The Israeli authorities also feared a repeat of the scenario of 2010, when the interception of the Mavi Marmara flotilla ended in the deaths of people during clashes with Israeli special forces.
The new incident increases tensions around the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip and could complicate Israel’s relations with Turkey and a number of international organizations.
The situation also shows that the naval blockade of Gaza remains one of the most sensitive elements of the Middle East conflict, affecting not only security issues, but also international law, humanitarian aid and diplomatic relations.
