Israeli Forces Seize Gaza Aid Flotilla in International Waters

The Israeli military launched an operation early Wednesday to intercept a humanitarian aid flotilla bound for the Gaza Strip. The incident occurred in international waters, roughly 120 nautical miles off the coast of Gaza. According to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, three civilian vessels—the Gaza Sunbird, Alaa Al-Najjar, and Anas Al Sharif—were surrounded and boarded by Israeli naval forces.

The International Committee for Breaking the Siege on Gaza stated on social media platform X that the "illegal interception" took place at 04:34 a.m. local time. The group shared a video purportedly showing the moment of the attack on the Gaza Sunbird, alleging soldiers struck the camera to conceal their actions. The coalition's official tracker was jammed, and most live streams from the boats were disconnected, creating a communications blackout during the seizure.

The flotilla was carrying vital humanitarian aid valued at over $110,000, including medicines, respiratory equipment, and nutritional supplies destined for hospitals in Gaza. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition emphasized that the mission was peaceful and posed no threat, challenging the legality of Israel's actions in international waters. This event is the latest in a series of confrontations, following an Israeli attack just last week that seized over 40 boats and detained hundreds of activists attempting to break the long-standing blockade.

Israel has maintained a strict land, air, and sea blockade on Gaza for nearly 18 years, tightening it further in March by closing border crossings and restricting aid deliveries. This has exacerbated a severe humanitarian crisis, pushing the enclave toward famine. The ongoing conflict since October 2023 has resulted in extensive casualties and devastation, drawing continued international concern and calls for a sustainable resolution to the crisis.