Israel intercepts at least 40 ships of the Gaza humanitarian flotilla

Istanbul (ANTARA) – Israeli forces have intercepted at least 40 of the 54 ships taking part in the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) convoy as of Tuesday. The Israeli army has detained around 300 humanitarian activists, according to a report on the Walla news site quoting unnamed security sources. The report adds that the Israeli navy has not yet intercepted all vessels in the GSF convoy. There are still ships that have evaded Israeli forces and were able to sail in international waters. Israeli forces launched an attack on the humanitarian flotilla bound for Gaza in international waters on Monday (18 May), triggering widespread condemnation worldwide. The attack on the flotilla convoy was not the first time Israel has carried out such actions. In April, Israeli forces attacked flotilla ships in international waters near Crete, Greece. The flotilla then comprised 345 volunteers from 39 countries, including Turkey. Israeli forces subsequently seized 21 ships carrying about 175 activists, while the remaining ships were able to proceed to Greek territorial waters. Around 2.4 million Palestinians, including about 1.5 million refugees, live in dire conditions in Gaza, worsened by what is described as genocidal aggression by Zionists over the past two years. The aggression has caused more than 72,700 deaths and more than 172,700 injuries, the majority of whom are women and children, and has triggered a severe famine disaster.