JERUSALEM (Realist English). Hamas on Wednesday night denounced Israel’s interception of a Gaza-bound flotilla, calling it a “crime of piracy and maritime terrorism against civilians,” and urged “all defenders of freedom in the world” to condemn the action.
In a statement, the group said the interception in international waters, and the detention of activists and journalists aboard, constituted “a treacherous act of aggression… which adds to the dark record of crimes committed” by Israel.
Israel, together with Egypt, maintains a naval blockade of Gaza to prevent Hamas from importing weapons and materials used for their production. Organisers of the flotilla, named Global Sumud, said it was carrying humanitarian aid and aimed to challenge the blockade.
Turkey’s foreign ministry also condemned the operation, calling it “an act of terrorism” and “a serious violation of international law” that endangered civilians.
The Israeli Navy confirmed it had boarded several vessels and detained activists without incident. Israel’s Foreign Ministry released footage showing soldiers assisting Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, who was among those taken into custody. “Greta and her friends are safe and healthy,” the ministry said.
The detained activists are being transferred to an Israeli port, after which they will be deported, officials added.
The interception comes against the backdrop of the nearly two-year war in Gaza, triggered by Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on southern Israel, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 hostages abducted.