Last Boat of Large Activist Fleet Intercepted by Israeli Navy
The last boat of the large aid flotilla seeking to penetrate the Israeli decade-plus naval embargo on the Gaza Strip has been halted by Israeli defense units.
Protest Halt and Expulsion Measures
Per authoritative statements, processes are currently ongoing to expel the around nearly five hundred participants currently in holding. Including those detained are four Italian parliamentarians who are projected to go back to their home country on a regular commercial flight.
Remaining Ship Information
Video from late Thursday showed the remaining vessel being manned by half a dozen people, featuring multiple Turkey's citizens, a German national, and an Oman's participant. The Australian skipper of the vessel commented via video call: "We have a group of highly resilient Turkey's participants aboard... we're just going to continue in our course."
Per a mission official, the boat had become part of the flotilla delayed after inclement weather obliged it to return to harbor in the Spanish city.
Past Context
This halt marks the most proximate any unsanctioned relief attempt has advanced to the Gaza territorial waters since Israel imposed its sea embargo in 2009. The boat was stopped when it was approximated to be forty-two point five maritime miles from the Gaza's waters.
Earlier attempts by humanitarian workers to breach the naval embargo have been prevented by armed intervention. In 2010, ten Turkish activists were fatally wounded when Israel's military units boarded the lead ship as it headed an humanitarian fleet toward the Gaza Strip.
Further Ship Particulars
An additional sailing boat named another participant was reported to have entered into Gaza's maritime zone, idling nine nautical miles off the coast before being apprehended. Nonetheless, coordinators stated they had lost communication with the vessel's team several hours before.
"It could be a tracker glitch or a system problem with the surveillance," remarked a spokesperson. "We will only have certainty after making contact with the crew, which is not possible currently as they are being detained by Israel's officials."
Present Status
The apprehended crew members from the mission are being taken to Israeli territory where they will be subject to removal procedures. Several individuals on this latest mission, featuring well-known participant the environmental campaigner, have been earlier apprehended by Israel's officials while trying to break the restriction.
In the past, participants held by Israeli authorities have typically not been criminally prosecuted and their involvement has been treated as an entry issue rather than a judicial violation.
