The Israeli army intercepted a nine-boat flotilla attempting to interrupt Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza early Wednesday within the Mediterranean Sea and detained scores of activists on board, the flotilla organizers and the Israeli Overseas Ministry stated.
The ministry stated the 145 activists collaborating within the Freedom Flotilla Coalition & Thousand Madleens to Gaza, have been in good well being and have been being dropped at shore in Israel for processing earlier than they’re deported.
Overseas Affairs Minister Anita Anand stated Wednesday the federal government was conscious of six Canadians who’re detained in Israel. She stated World Affairs Canada was in contact with Israeli authorities and providing consular companies to the Canadians.
“Canada urges Israel to make sure the protection of our residents and to facilitate their swift launch,” she stated in a social media submit on X.
The interception got here after practically 450 activists from a earlier, high-profile flotilla — together with European lawmakers and local weather activist Greta Thunberg — have been intercepted on greater than 40 boats final week attempting to achieve Gaza with a symbolic quantity of humanitarian help. Two Canadians have been amongst these detained from that earlier flotilla, Ottawa confirmed.
Whereas many of the activists of the World Sumud Flotilla have been deported, six of them — from Norway, Morocco and Spain — stay detained in Israel, attorneys representing them stated late Tuesday.
The newest flotilla attempting to achieve Gaza
The organizers of this newest flotilla decried the brand new detentions on Wednesday as “arbitrary and illegal.”
The activists on board the nine-vessel group included docs, at the least one member of the European parliament and several other nationwide lawmakers from Turkey, Denmark, France and Belgium.
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A passenger checklist posted on the flotilla’s web site additionally reveals two Israeli residents have been on board their largest boat, the Conscience. The flotilla was carrying some meals and medical help destined for Gaza hospitals.
“One other futile try and breach the authorized naval blockade and enter a fight zone resulted in nothing,” the Overseas Ministry wrote on X.
Organizers stated the fleet was intercepted round 120 nautical miles off the coast of Gaza. Cameras aboard the vessels, one giant passenger ship and eight smaller sailboats, broadcast the interceptions dwell.
The boats might be seen being approached by fast-moving ships after which boarded by Israeli troops, who then lower off the printed. Activists additionally stated an Israeli helicopter flew over them. No accidents have been reported.
Israeli interceptions spark condemnation
Turkey strongly condemned and known as Israel’s newest interception in worldwide waters an “act of piracy.” Its Overseas Ministry stated Wednesday it was a severe violation of worldwide regulation and accused Israel of escalating tensions and undermining peace efforts.
Turkey has launched diplomatic efforts to safe the rapid launch and protected return of its residents and was coordinating with different international locations relating to the standing of different activists, the assertion stated.
The interceptions final week of the World Sumud Flotilla drew widespread condemnation and sparked giant protests in a number of main cities and a one-day strike throughout Italy.
A few of the deported activists had described mistreatment by the hands of Israeli guards, claims that Israel denies.
Late on Tuesday, dozens of parliamentarians from Turkey and European international locations — together with Cyprus, Belgium, Spain and Italy — issued a joint assertion condemning Israel’s interception of the World Sumud Flotilla and demanded the rapid launch of the remaining detained activists.
The assertion described the convoy as peaceable and a civilian initiative, and appealed for upholding worldwide regulation.
The flotillas to Gaza got here amid surging criticism of Israel’s conduct in Gaza, the place its offensive within the struggle in opposition to Hamas has laid waste vast swaths of territory and killed tens of 1000’s of individuals.
Negotiations underway in Egypt
Additionally Wednesday, Israel and Hamas resumed oblique negotiations within the Egyptian resort of Sharm Al-Sheikh, together with high-level leaders from worldwide delegations, together with the USA, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey.
The struggle was triggered by the Hamas-led assault on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. The militants killed some 1,200 folks that day, whereas 251 others have been kidnapped. Forty-eight hostages are nonetheless held in Gaza — round 20 believed to be alive.
Israel’s ensuing marketing campaign has killed greater than 67,000 Palestinians, based on Gaza’s Well being Ministry, which doesn’t differentiate between civilians and militants in its toll. The ministry, which is a part of the Hamas-run authorities and whose figures are seen by specialists as essentially the most dependable estimate, has stated girls and kids make up round half the useless.
Israel has maintained various levels of blockade on the Gaza Strip since Hamas seized energy within the coastal territory in 2007, saying it’s essential to comprise the militant group. Critics deride the coverage as collective punishment.
After the struggle began, Israel tightened the blockade however eased up later beneath U.S. stress. In March, it sealed the territory off from all meals, medication and different items for two 1/2 months, contributing to Gaza’s slide into famine.
Flotilla activists say they need to break Israel’s blockade and set up a humanitarian hall by sea, given the little help that reaches Gaza by land. They’ve vowed to attempt once more.
Brito reported from Barcelona, Spain. Related Press author Suzan Fraser in Ankara, Turkey, contributed to this report.
—Extra recordsdata from World Information
© 2025 The Canadian Press
