Israeli Forces Intercept Gaza-Bound Aid Flotilla Aimed at Breaking Blockade

Tel aviv: Israeli forces on Wednesday intercepted several vessels from the Global Sumud Flotilla, a civilian maritime mission aiming to break the blockade on the Gaza Strip. According to Qatar News Agency, the intercepted ships were carrying dozens of activists and were ordered by Israeli forces to reroute to Ashdod port. The flotilla's organizers reported that the status of the activists and crew members aboard the seized vessels remains unknown. All individuals on the intercepted ships were reportedly detained by Israeli forces. Jawaher Chenna, a member of the Maghreb delegation of the flotilla, told Qatar News Agency (QNA) that contact was made with some Tunisian participants, who confirmed that three vessels - Alma, Syrus, and Adara - were intercepted, and the fate of those onboard remains unclear. The Sumud flotilla includes around 532 participants from more than 45 countries aboard nearly 50 ships that departed from Spain, Italy, and Tunisia.