The Israeli Marina intercepted on Wednesday to the Global Sumud Flotillaan international mission that tried to break the maritime block over Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid to the enclave. According to the activists, so far six ships were approached by military personnelcommunications were interrupted and the situation of many of the crew is unknown.
In a statement broadcast on social networks, the organization denounced that “the cameras are offline and ships have been taken by armed personnel. There is no confirmation about the state of the participants or the crew.” In addition, they accused Israel of a “Illegal attack against unarmed humanitians” and demanded that governments intervene to guarantee the liberation of activists.
The flotilla had crossed the exclusion zone declared by Israelabout 200 kilometers from the coast of Gaza, where sometimes previously interceptions were also produced. Witnesses reported that at least 20 war ships surrounded the main shipsamong them the Soulthe flagship of the mission.
An Italian journalist, Lorenzo D’Agostinoaboard the wire ship, he said in X that “the interception began at the late afternoon. Sirius was taken, I saw it with my eyes; Captain Nikos was also intercepted. From the soul there is no contact.”
He Israeli Foreign Ministry The operation justified alleging that the flotilla was warned that it was heading to “an active combat zone” and violated a legal naval block. Israel says he offered to move the aid “for safe channels” and described the mission of “provocation disguised as a humanitarian initiative.”
Testimonies and diplomatic tension
The Israeli ambassador to the UN, Danny Danonaffirmed that those who tried to enter “will be deported immediately after Yom Kippur.” In parallel, Israeli Foreign Minister, Gideon Saarhe urged to deliver the load peacefully and warned that the flotilla sought to “feed the narrative of Hamas and Sumud.”
From Italy, the Chancellor Antonio Tajani He confirmed that Tel Aviv assured him that the approach would be made without violence. “If nobody makes mistakes, it should conclude without damage,” Rai told television, although he acknowledged that the Italians on board will be taken to Ashdod and subsequently expelled.
In the Argentinaleft -wing groups made a march in Plaza de Mayo to demand the freedom of the activists. Among the members of the flotilla are local leaders Ezequiel Peressini and Celeste Fierro.
The mission and its members
The Global Sumud Flotilla It started in September from Spain with more than 40 ships and some 500 participants from different countries. Among them the Swedish activist traveled Greta Thunbergthe grandson of Nelson Mandela, Mandla Mandelaand political figures such as the MEP Rima Hassanthe former mayor of Barcelona Ada Colau and Italian and French legislators.
The declared objective was break the blockade on gaza and deliver help directly to the Palestinian population. For the organizers, allow third parties to channel assistance distorting the mission, whose central purpose is to denounce what they consider a “Illegal blocking”.
Hours before the operation, the activists had already denounced “intimidation maneuvers.” According to his reports, an Israeli ship surrounded the soul and then harassed Sirius. They also denounced the presence of previous drones and attacks in the Mediterranean, with ATUDEDORAS GRANES AND CHEMICAL DUST launched on the covers during a scale in Tunisia.
The French deputy Marie Mesmeur He reported that he saw vessels approaching dangerously and aiming reflectors against activists. “We are preparing for an imminent attack. We will not oppose resistance,” the activist wrote on social networks David Adler.
Repercussions
The situation generated concern in Europe. The governments of Italy, Spain and Greece They asked Israel to respect the integrity of the activists and offer consular protection. At the same time, they recommended to the flotilla stop their progress and proposed that the aid be delivered through the Catholic churchproposal rejected by the organizers.
The Spanish president Pedro Sánchez He argued that the mission “does not represent a threat to Israel” and that Madrid will guarantee diplomatic support to the Spanish citizens involved. The Italian executive, on the other hand, was more critical: the Premier Giorgia Meloni He described the flotilla as “an irresponsible initiative that does not put in the center the suffering of the Palestinian people.”
The main Italian union, the Italian general work confederation (CGIL)one announced one General strike in protest of the intervention of the Israeli Navy against the Global Sumud Flotillawhich was heading to Gaza with humanitarian aid. The union described the action as an “extremely serious act” and denounced that it constitutes an attack on humanitarian action and solidarity with the Palestinian population, subjected according to them to a blockade that they describe as genocide.
The CGIL said it was a Direct attack against the safety of Italian workers and volunteers that participated in the mission. In addition, he criticized the Italian government for, according to his interpretation, to have abandoned Italian citizens in international waters, which, in his opinion, violates the constitutional principles of the country. Along the same lines, the Base union union (USB) He summoned a mobilization and strike for October 3, after denouncing that the ships were approached “by a state that attacked a civil and peaceful mission destined to deliver help in Gaza.”
The union initiative generated criticism from Italian authorities. The Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation, Matteo Salvinihe described the “irresponsible” call and accused the left -wing unions of promoting protests that harm Italian citizens. In addition, he argued that the flotilla acts in a provocative manner at a delicate time for international diplomacy, he published in his social network X.
I continued live the fate of the flotilla
Source: Ambito
