GAZA, (Palestine Foundation Information Center )The Hamas Movement strongly condemned on Wednesday the Israeli navy’s interception of the Sumud Flotilla in international waters and the arrest of accompanying activists and journalists, describing it as a treacherous assault, an act of piracy, and maritime terrorism targeting civilians.
In a press statement, Hamas stated that this interception represents a barbaric attack on international solidarity activists who were on an urgent humanitarian mission to deliver critical aid to the besieged residents of Gaza, who have been subjected to two years of systematic starvation and genocide.
Hamas denounced the assault in the strongest terms, asserting that the Israeli navy’s actions constitute a criminal offense that freedom-loving people around the world should condemn.
The Movement also praised the courage of the activists and their determination to break the siege on the Palestinian people, calling on global citizens to organize public demonstrations and protests to express international outrage and condemnation of the Israeli assaults and to demand their immediate halt.
Hamas called on the United Nations and the international community to fulfill their legal and moral responsibilities by condemning Israel’s acts of piracy, taking urgent measures to protect the activists and their vessels, ending the imposed starvation and genocide against Palestinians, and holding Israeli leaders accountable for their ongoing crimes against humanity.
The Sumud Flotilla earlier confirmed that Israeli occupation forces intercepted 18 of its ships en route to Gaza, prompting widespread international condemnation.
According to updates published on the flotilla’s Telegram channel, the Israeli navy intercepted 18 boats in international waters.
The organizers of the Flotilla affirmed: “Israel’s illegal interceptions will not deter us. We are continuing our mission to break the siege and open a humanitarian corridor.”
They added that at least 30 boats are still sailing toward the Gaza Strip.
The following vessels are confirmed to still be en route, as per fleet tracking data: Adagio, Ahed Tamimi, Alacatala, Amsterdam, Austral, Captain Nikos, Catalina, Estrella & Manuel, Fair Lady, Free Willy, Inanna, Janot III, Mango, Maria Cristina, Marinette, Metik, Miamiya, Mikino, Ohoyla, Paola I, Pavlos Fyssas, Selvaja, Shireen, Summertime, Jong, Vangelis Pissias, Asser and Aysel, Wahoo.
Boats already intercepted by Israeli forces include: Adara, All In, Alma, Aurora, Deir Yassin, Florida, Grand Blue, Hugh, Hoja, Karma, Mohammad Bahar, Morgana, Otaria, Oxygono, Seoul, Sirus, Spectre, Yulara.
Earlier, the Sumud Flotilla reported “hostile behavior” from the Israeli navy against participating boats. The organization posted on Telegram that the vessel Florida was deliberately rammed at sea, while Yulara, Metik, and others were targeted with water cannons.
The Sumud Flotilla further noted that the status of the crews and activists aboard the intercepted vessels remains unknown, but confirmed that Israeli forces detained those onboard the vessel Sirus.
