High Seas Standoff: Israel Blocks Aid Flotilla Bound for Gaza

Israel has intercepted aid ships bound for Gaza in international waters near Greece, flotilla organisers announced on Thursday. They criticized the move as an 'escalation of Israel's impunity.' The flotilla, part of a second Global Sumud initiative to break the Israeli blockade by delivering aid to Gaza, had sailed from Barcelona.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar stated on X that Israel effectively prevented the breaching of the naval blockade on Gaza. In cooperation with the Greek government, individuals from the flotilla were transferred to an Israeli vessel and would disembark on a Greek beach shortly, he said, affirming Israel's stance against any breach of the blockade.

The vessels were seized by Israel Wednesday in international waters off Greece's Peloponnese. The flotilla organisers accused Israel of 'piracy' for its 'unlawful seizure of human beings' far beyond its borders, arguing that international waters shouldn't be under sovereign control. The Greek Foreign Ministry said it requested Israel to withdraw from the area, offering safe passage for passengers.

(With inputs from agencies.)