The last remaining vessel of the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla was intercepted by Israel onFriday, according to its organisers.The flotilla consisting of dozens of ships set sail last month, ferrying politicians, activists and aid towards Gaza before the Israeli navy began intercepting the vessels on Wednesday.
The organisers of a Gaza-bound aid flotilla said Israel intercepted its last remaining boat on Friday, after the interceptions of its fellow vessels drew protests worldwide.
"Marinette, the last remaining boat of the Global Sumud Flotilla, was intercepted at 10:29am (07:29 GMT) local time, approximately 42.5 nautical miles from Gaza," the flotilla said on Telegram, adding that Israeli naval forces had "illegally intercepted all 42 of our vessels each carrying humanitarian aid, volunteers, and the determination to break Israel's illegal siege on Gaza".
The Global Sumud Flotilla consisting of dozens of ships set sail last month, ferrying politicians and activists, including Swedish campaignerGreta Thunberg, towards Gaza, where the United Nations says famine is taking hold.
The Israeli navy began intercepting them on Wednesday, and an Israeli official said the following day that boats with more than 400 people on board had been prevented from reaching the coastal territory.
The flotilla said on Friday that 42 vessels had been "illegally intercepted" and their passengers "unlawfully abducted".
That left just one ship, the Marinette, pressing ahead with its mission to break the Israeli blockade of Gaza, until it was intercepted.
Protesters around the world held rallies on Thursday condemningIsrael's interceptions and urging greater sanctions in response.
About 15,000 people marched inBarcelonawhere the flotilla began its voyage chanting slogans including "Gaza, you are not alone", "Boycott Israel" and "Freedom for Palestine".
Hundreds also gathered outside the Irish parliament in Dublin, where Miriam McNally, whose daughter was sailing with the flotilla, said she was "worried sick".
Protests also took place inParis,Berlin,The Hague, Tunis, Brasilia and Buenos Aires, according to AFP correspondents.
Netanyahu praise
Israeli Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahupraised the interceptions.
"I commend the soldiers and commanders of the navy who carried out their mission on Yom Kippur in the most professional and efficient manner," he said in a statement on Thursday.
"Their important action prevented dozens of vessels from entering the war zone and repelled a campaign of delegitimisation against Israel."
Gaza's civil defence agency and hospitals said Israeli strikes on the territory killed at least 52 people on Thursday, including an employee of the French charity Doctors Without Borders.
Read moreGaza: An American nurse films hospital destruction
The nearly two-year war was sparked by Palestinian militant groupHamas's unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
The attack resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures.
Israel's retaliatory military campaign since then has killed 66,225 Palestinians in Gaza, also mostly civilians, according to figures from the Hamas-run health ministry, which the United Nations considers reliable.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
Originally published on France24
