Final Vessel of 42-Strong Activist Naval Mission Halted by Israel's Navy
This final ship of the 42-strong relief flotilla seeking to breach the Israeli decade-plus maritime restriction on the Gaza Strip has been intercepted by Israel's military forces.
Flotilla Stoppage and Deportation Procedures
According to official announcements, measures are now in progress to deport the around four hundred fifty activists currently in detention. Among those apprehended are multiple Italy's MPs who are projected to go back to their home country on a regular aircraft.
Final Boat Particulars
Video from late Thursday revealed the final vessel being crewed by six individuals, including three Turkish nationals, a Germany's citizen, and an Oman's participant. The Australian captain of the vessel declared via video call: "We have a group of highly resilient Turkey's crew with us... we're just going to proceed in our path."
According to a protest representative, the ship had become part of the mission late after inclement weather forced it to head back to dock in the Spanish city.
Historical Background
This stoppage represents the most proximate any unapproved relief attempt has come to the Gaza Strip shoreline since Israel imposed its maritime embargo in 2009. The boat was apprehended when it was calculated to be forty-two point five nautical miles from the shoreline.
Previous endeavors by protesters to penetrate the sea embargo have been prevented by armed intervention. In 2010, ten Turkey's participants were killed when Israeli special forces boarded the flagship as it led an aid fleet toward the Gaza Strip.
Other Ship Details
Another sailing boat called Mikeno seemed to have crossed into Gaza Strip's coastal area, stationary nine maritime miles off the shoreline before being apprehended. Nonetheless, coordinators stated they had been unable to reach with the boat's crew several hours earlier.
"It could be a monitoring glitch or a technical difficulty with the tracking," stated a spokesperson. "We will only have confirmation after communicating with the personnel, which is unfeasible right now as they are being detained by Israeli officials."
Present Status
The detained activists from the flotilla are being moved to Israeli territory where they will be subject to removal proceedings. Several individuals on this current flotilla, such as prominent figure the environmental campaigner, have been previously held by Israel's officials while trying to violate the blockade.
Historically, protesters detained by Israeli authorities have generally not been charged with crimes and their involvement has been treated as an immigration matter rather than a judicial offense.