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Israel Intercepts Gaza-Bound Flotilla as Organizers Report 13 Vessels Seized

Israel is enforcing its Gaza naval blockade by redirecting intercepted aid vessels to its ports.

Overview

  • Organizers said 13 boats carrying about 190 people were seized in international waters, while roughly 30 vessels continue the mission.
  • Earlier reports cited four boats with about 70 detainees, then nine vessels, underscoring conflicting tallies that have not been independently verified.
  • The flotilla set out from Tunisia with more than 40 ships to deliver aid and challenge the blockade, with participants from the Middle East, Europe, the Americas, Southeast Asia, and the United States.
  • Mission representatives and regional broadcasters alleged Israeli forces boarded ships about 70–75 nautical miles from Gaza, disabled cameras, used water cannons, and mistreated detainees.
  • Turkey condemned the interdictions as a terrorist act and pledged legal and consular steps, while Hamas labeled the operation piracy; Israel had offered to offload cargo in Ashkelon or other ports.