The crew of one of the Gaza-bound vessels with their hands up as they are boarded by Israeli military. Photograph: Global Sumud Flotilla/Reuters
Greta Thunberg arrested and taken into custody after six of the flotilla’s boats were boarded
At least two boats from a pro-Palestinian flotilla have been boarded by Israeli forces roughly 75 miles off the coast of Gaza, as the vessels attempted to breach the maritime blockade of the war-torn territory and bring aid.
Several media outlets reported that other boats were also being intercepted.
The raid began with the flotilla’s leading vessel, Alma, whose crew were detained by Israeli soldiers on Wednesday.
The environmental activist Greta Thunberg was among those onboard the Alma.
In a video message posted on Instagram shortly before the interception, Thunberg said: “My name is Greta Thunberg. I am onboard the ship Alma. We are about to be intercepted by Israel.”
Thunberg, along with other activists on the Alma, was arrested and taken into custody at the Israeli port of Ashdod.
The Global Sumud Flotilla, which consists of more than 40 civilian boats carrying about 500 parliamentarians, lawyers and activists including Thunberg, was heading towards Gaza bringing humanitarian aid despite repeated warnings from Israel to turn back.
Keir Starmer objects to criticism of the IDF. He asks how could anyone object to them starving people to death, forced marches like the Nazis did, bombing Gaza’s hospitals and universities, mass-murdering journalists, healthworkers and starving people queuing for food, killing and raping prisoners and murdering children. He calls for people to stop obstructing his genocide for Israel.
Attack on Global Sumud Flotilla’s “Alma”. Source: screenshot
The Global Sumud Flotilla’s vessel “Alma” was hit in a new suspected drone strike, marking the second attack on the initiative within days.
The Global Sumud Flotilla has come under attack for a second time in days while preparing to break the Israeli blockade of Gaza by sea. The vessel Alma, sailing under a British flag, was struck in another suspected drone assault and sustained fire damage to its upper deck.
“These repeat attacks come during intensified Israeli aggression on Palestinians in Gaza, and are an orchestrated attempt to distract and derail our mission,” the coalition stated. “The Global Sumud Flotilla continues undeterred.”
While investigations are ongoing, UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese wrote on social media that early expert opinions suspected a drone strike carried out with “an incendiary grenade wrapped in plastic materials dipped in fuel.” The incident followed the attack a day earlier on the flotilla’s FamilyBoat, which carried steering committee members and supplies for Gaza on previous legs of the voyage. The strike drew widespread condemnation from grassroots groups and led to immediate popular mobilizations in the Tunisian port of Sidi Bou Said, where the flotilla is currently docked.
After the first assault, the coalition reaffirmed its determination to proceed. “We are leaving on this mission. No acts of aggression will stop us,” Global Sumud Flotilla’s Saif Abukeshek said. “In the coming days, the flotilla will be united at sea in our mission to break the siege, to end the genocide and to stand with the Palestinian people in their just struggle for freedom.”
“Our mission is clear: to expose Israel’s unfolding ethnic cleansing and stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people,” the flotilla added.
The Global Sumud Flotilla is made up of trade unionists, health workers, actors, activists, and ordinary people seeking to reach Gaza with essential supplies while spotlighting Israeli war crimes and Western governments’ complicity. It marks the largest attempt to break the sea blockade since the genocide began in October 2023, supported by dozens of civilian vessels and thousands of volunteers on land.
Genocide denier and Current UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is quoted that he supports Zionism without qualification. He also confirms that UK air force support has been essential in Israel’s mass-murdering genocide. Includes URLs https://www.declassifieduk.org/keir-starmers-100-spy-flights-over-gaza-in-support-of-israel/ and https://youtu.be/O74hZCKKdpAKeir Starmer objects to criticism of the IDF. He asks how could anyone object to them starving people to death, forced marches like the Nazis did, bombing Gaza’s hospitals and universities, mass-murdering journalists, healthworkers and starving people queuing for food, killing and raping prisoners and murdering children. He calls for people to stop obstructing his genocide for Israel.Vote Labour for Genocide.
