Final Ship of 42-Strong Pro-Palestinian Flotilla Halted by Israeli Navy
This final boat of the 42-strong humanitarian flotilla seeking to break the Israeli longstanding maritime blockade on Gaza has been stopped by Israeli military forces.
Flotilla Halt and Removal Procedures
According to authoritative announcements, measures are now underway to deport the about nearly five hundred participants currently in detention. Including those apprehended are multiple Italy's parliamentarians who are anticipated to be repatriated to their home country on a scheduled aircraft.
Final Vessel Information
Footage from the previous evening revealed the final ship being crewed by half a dozen individuals, featuring several Turkish citizens, a German national, and an Oman's crew member. The Australia's skipper of the vessel stated via video call: "We have a contingent of extremely determined Turkey's activists aboard... we're just going to persist in our direction."
As stated by a mission spokesperson, the ship had entered the flotilla delayed after stormy conditions obliged it to return to dock in the Catalan port.
Historical Precedent
This stoppage signifies the most proximate any unapproved aid mission has advanced to the Gaza coast since Israel enforced its naval embargo in two thousand nine. The vessel was stopped when it was estimated to be 42.5 maritime miles from the Gaza's waters.
Earlier endeavors by humanitarian workers to breach the sea embargo have been stopped by armed intervention. In 2010, ten Turkish activists were lost their lives when Israel's special forces boarded the Mavi Marmara as it led an relief fleet toward Gaza.
Other Ship Particulars
A second ship called Mikeno was reported to have entered into Gaza Strip's territorial waters, waiting nine maritime miles off the shoreline before being intercepted. However, organizers mentioned they had lost contact with the boat's crew several hours earlier.
"It could be a tracker malfunction or a equipment issue with the monitoring," commented a official. "We will only have verification after communicating with the crew, which is unfeasible right now as they are being held by Israel's forces."
Present Circumstances
The held activists from the mission are being moved to Israel where they will undergo removal processes. Several individuals on this current flotilla, including prominent participant the environmental campaigner, have been before held by Israeli authorities while seeking to break the restriction.
Traditionally, protesters detained by Israeli authorities have generally not been criminally prosecuted and their presence has been considered as an entry issue rather than a criminal violation.