Israeli Forces Open Fire on Global Sumud Flotilla Ships

Republika.co.id, Cyprus – The Israeli occupation forces have carried out a hijacking operation more brutal than previous ones. This time, the Global Sumud Flotilla reported shots fired at ships. ‘We are seeing a surge in violence during the IOF interception,’ read a message from the BoraLize ship’s WhatsApp group on Tuesday night local time. As of the post, Global Sumud Flotilla said it could not confirm whether there were any injuries in the incident. ‘Please be aware that everyone on board has been trained in non-violence and de-escalation. The team is working to verify everyone’s status and will share confirmed updates as soon as possible,’ the statement read. The Global Sumud Flotilla’s Instagram account also reported violence by the Israeli forces against humanitarian volunteers sailing to Gaza. They posted a video showing an IDF soldier firing a long gun. According to the report, the volunteers briefly raised their hands while pleading with the Israeli soldiers not to fire. However, the repressive actions continued amid their attempts to deliver humanitarian aid. ‘This is an attack on Gaza. This is an attack on humanity,’ the Global Sumud Flotilla statement read. Global Sumud Flotilla also reported that IDF ships rammed the Sirius vessel, causing significant damage during the interception. ‘Teams there are working promptly to confirm everyone’s status, provide support to those affected, and document all incidents for legal and diplomatic follow-up.’ They characterised Israel’s actions as reflecting apartheid practices, where those attempting to save lives are faced with bullets and violence. The post also claimed that humanitarian aid is being brutalised and that international law is being flouted. Global Sumud Flotilla also openly accused Israel of stating that it would target volunteers on the basis of race. They urged the international community not to allow such actions to become normalised. ‘We cannot remain silent while this is being normalised,’ they wrote. Through the post, Global Sumud Flotilla also called on the international public to disseminate information, contact government officials, and intensify pressure on Israel.