Desk Report:
Israel kidnaps 443 volunteers from 47 countries: Global Peace Flotilla
The Global Sumud Flotilla has said that Israeli forces have illegally abducted at least 443 volunteers from 47 countries from international waters. At that time, water cannons were used and dirty water was sprayed on the workers on the ship. The detainees were deliberately cut off from communication.
The Global Sumud Flotilla said this in a post on the social media Xe (formerly Twitter) on Thursday.
The Sumud Flotilla said in a statement that the Israeli navy illegally attacked the Global Sumud Flotilla, which was carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza in the Mediterranean Sea, and kidnapped more than a hundred volunteers. The flotilla ships were carrying food, baby milk, medicine and volunteers from 47 countries.
The organization’s statement said that the Israeli navy fired water cannons and sprayed foul-smelling water on the flotilla ships and cut off communication. The 443 participants were later forcibly removed from their boat and taken to the Israeli military ship MSC Johannesburg.
The legal aid organization for the Sumud Flotilla, Adalah, said that very little information has been provided about the detained volunteers and it is not yet clear whether they are being illegally taken to the port of Ashdod.
The organization claims that this is a direct violation of international law and a serious violation of human rights. They stated that the seizure of a humanitarian aid ship in international waters amounts to a war crime.
The Global Sumud Flotilla said, “We call on all governments, international organizations and leaders of the world to immediately ensure the safety and release of the kidnapped people.”
Meanwhile, the French-flagged ship Mikeno is believed to have entered Palestinian waters, but has lost contact with it. On the other hand, the Polish-flagged Marinet is still in contact via Starlink, where six passengers are on board.
The ships that were claimed by the Sumud Flotilla to have been seized by Israel are: Free Willy (Poland), Captain Nikos (Poland), Florida (Poland), All In (France), Karma, Oxygono (Poland), Mohammed Vahr (Netherlands), Zeno (Spain), Seoul (Poland), Heo (Poland), Morgana (Italy), Otaria (Italy), Grande Bleu (Poland), Deir Yassin (Algeria), Huga (Poland), Aurora (Italy), Euler (Spain), Spectre (Spain), Adara (Spain), Alma (UK) and Sirius (UK).
The ships that lost contact were the Miamia, Vangelis, Pavlos, Wahoo, Inana, Maria, Alacatala, Matek, Mango, Adagio, Ahed Tamimi, Austral, Amsterdam, Ohwaila, Selvagia, Catalina, Estrella and Fair Lady.
The Global Sea Flotilla said its main goal is to break Israel’s illegal blockade and end the ongoing genocide in Gaza. The organization claims that every Israeli crackdown only strengthens its resolve.
