Israeli navy intercepts Gaza-bound flotilla with 430 activists

Le Figaro, a prominent French daily newspaper, reports on the interception of the "Global Sumud" flotilla by the Israeli navy. The operation, which saw Israeli soldiers boarding approximately fifty vessels, aimed to break the naval blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip. This marks the third such attempt in a year, highlighting the ongoing tensions and the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, exacerbated by the conflict that began in October 2023.

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The 430 activists have all been transferred aboard Israeli ships and are en route to Israel, where they will be able to meet their consular representatives.

The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that all 430 activists on board were transferred to Israeli ships and were en route to Israel, where they would have access to consular representatives. The ministry reiterated that the operation did not violate the "legal naval blockade" in place around Gaza.

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The Israeli occupation has once again illegally and violently intercepted our international flotilla of humanitarian ships and kidnapped our volunteers.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the navy's success, urging them to see the operation through. The flotilla organizers, however, denounced the interception as illegal and violent, demanding the release of the activists and an end to the blockade. This incident underscores the persistent international efforts to challenge the blockade and the Israeli government's firm stance in maintaining it, citing security concerns related to the conflict with Hamas.

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