Journalism of Courage
Amid international condemnation, Israel on Thursday continued with the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla, the convoy of 47 vessels that were on their way to Gaza, carrying around 500 activists from around the world. The Israeli navy began intercepting the flotilla late on Wednesday night, and the interception continued into Thursday.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry on Thursday said that none of the vessels that are part of the Gaza aid flotilla managed to breach the naval blockade before they were intercepted. According to a social media post by the Israeli Foreign Ministry, the activists onboard the boats were taken safely to Israel, from where they will be deported to Europe. The ministry added that one of the vessels of the flotilla was at a distance, and if it attempts to enter Gaza, it will also be prevented.
Countries around the world have condemned the Israeli interception of the Gaza aid flotilla on Thursday. Several European countries, including the UK, Germany, Spain and France have condemned the Israeli actions and urged the Jewish state to ensure the safety of the detained activists. Countries including South Africa and Malaysia, whose citizens are among the detained activists, also demanded their immediate release. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called Israel’s interception of the Gaza aid vessels an “act of piracy”.
Condemning the interception of the aid flotilla in international waters, the UNHRC said it widens Israel’s unlawful blockade of the Gaza Strip.
"As the occupying power, Israel must ensure food and medical supplies for the population to the fullest extent of the means available, or to agree to and facilitate impartial humanitarian relief schemes, delivered rapidly and without hindrance," UNHRC spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan said.
He also called on Israel to respect the rights of those in custody, including the right to challenge the legality of their detention.
Israeli strikes and gunfire overnight and into Thursday killed at least 52 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, according to hospitals. At least 27 people were killed by Israeli fire in southern Gaza, according to Nasser Hospital, which received the bodies. Officials there said 14 of them were killed in an Israeli military corridor where there have been frequent shootings around distribution centres of humanitarian aid. Officials at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in the central city of Deir al-Balah said they had received 13 dead from Israeli strikes. In Gaza City, health officials at Shifa Hospital said they received one body and several wounded people, adding that its staff are having difficulties reaching the hospital as Israel wages a major offensive aimed at occupying the city.
Israel on Thursday continued with its ground offensive in Gaza City and blocked the main road. “This is the last opportunity for Gaza residents who wish to do so to move south and leave Hamas operatives isolated in Gaza City itself in the face of the [army’s] continuing full-scale operations,” Israeli Defence Minister Katz said in a statement.
According to Katz, anyone who stayed would be considered a Hamas supporter and those leaving would be subjected to vetting by the military.
Around 400,000 Palestinians have fled famine-stricken Gaza City since Israel launched a major offensive there last month.
