One vessel from the Global Sumud Flotilla, which set sail to deliver international aid to Gaza by breaking the Israeli naval blockade, has finally managed to reach Gaza’s territorial waters.
According to live tracker, the ship named Mikeno is currently positioned off the Gaza coast. However, it remains unclear whether Israeli forces have intercepted the vessel.
Even as this progress was made, Israeli operations against the flotilla intensified. Latest updates indicate that Israeli commandos have detained several boats, reducing the number of active vessels to 24.
Flotilla spokesperson Saif Abukeshek confirmed that Israeli forces stopped 13 boats in the open sea, arresting more than 200 participants from 37 different countries. Among those detained is Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg.
An Al Jazeera correspondent on board reported that Israeli naval ships used water cannons against the flotilla, disabled their communication systems, and detained volunteers heading to Gaza while sailing in international waters.
Despite the heavy obstruction, Abukeshek said, “the mission continues,” stressing that participants are determined to push forward and break the blockade. Around 30 vessels are still attempting to navigate through Israeli resistance to reach Gaza’s shores, he added.
