Israel has detained a flotilla with Greta Thunberg on board. What the media is writing
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- Israel has detained a flotilla with Greta Thunberg on board. What the media is writing
The Israeli military detained the ships of the flotilla heading to the Gaza Strip. Eco-activist Greta Thunberg was on one of the ships. The flotilla organizers blamed the Israeli Navy for the attack and said they were delivering humanitarian aid. What the world's media write about the incident in the Mediterranean Sea is in the Izvestia digest.
The Guardian: The Israeli Navy stopped the pro-Palestinian flotilla
Several vessels from the pro-Palestinian Global Sumud flotilla were boarded by Israeli forces about 130 km off the coast of Gaza, where the ships were trying to break through to deliver humanitarian aid. The raid began with the lead ship of the Alma flotilla, the crew of which was detained by Israeli soldiers on October 1. A video provided by the Israeli Foreign Ministry shows the most famous of the flotilla's passengers, Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg, sitting on the deck surrounded by soldiers.
The Guardian
As of Thursday morning, according to the flotilla's own vessel tracking system, a total of 13 vessels had been intercepted or stopped, but the organizers said the remaining vessels would "continue moving without wasting time," adding that they were 85 km from their destination.
Thunberg, along with other activists on Alma, was arrested and taken into custody in the Israeli port of Ashdod. The Sumud flotilla consists of more than 40 civilian vessels carrying about 500 parliamentarians from different countries, lawyers and activists, including Thunberg. They claim that they were heading to Gaza with humanitarian aid, despite repeated warnings from Israel to turn back.
NBC News: the flotilla announced the illegal landing of the Israeli military
On Wednesday, the Israeli navy intercepted a flotilla of ships bound for Gaza. During the voyage, the flotilla encountered a number of incidents, including explosions, attacks using drones and jamming communications, which, according to activists, was an attempt to interfere with the movement of ships. The aim of the activists was to deliver a symbolic aid package and send a message by breaking through the Israeli naval blockade and reaching the Gaza Strip.
NBC News
"Before illegally boarding the vessels, the Israeli warships, apparently, deliberately damaged the ship's communications in an attempt to block distress signals and stop the live broadcast of the illegal boarding,— the flotilla's press service said in a statement. "In addition to the confirmed interception of the vessels, the live broadcast and communication with several other vessels were lost."
American veteran Greg Stocker, who was on board one of the boats, said that about 12 military vessels with their transponders turned off approached them when they were about 140 km off the coast of Gaza. A video posted on a Telegram account linked to the flotilla shows one of its ships being doused with water. Another report says that one of the ships "was deliberately rammed into the sea."
Reuters: Israel's actions have provoked an international reaction
The flotilla's progress across the Mediterranean has attracted international attention, as countries such as Turkey, Spain and Italy have sent boats and drones in case their citizens need help. This was accompanied by repeated warnings from Israel asking them to turn back. The Turkish Foreign Ministry called Israel's actions against the flotilla an "act of terror" that endangered the lives of innocent civilians.
Reuters
Istanbul's Chief Prosecutor's Office said it had launched an investigation into the detention of 24 Turkish citizens aboard the flotilla ships on charges including imprisonment, vehicle seizure and property damage. Colombian President Gustavo Petro on Wednesday ordered the expulsion of the entire Israeli diplomatic delegation after the detention of two Colombians involved in the operation. Israel has not had an ambassador to Colombia since last year.
Petro called the detentions a potential "new international crime" by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and demanded the release of the Colombians. He also terminated the free trade agreement between Colombia and Israel. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Thursday condemned the Israeli interception of the flotilla, adding that Israeli forces had detained eight Malaysians. The interception of the flotilla by Israel sparked protests in Italy and Colombia. Italian trade unions have called for a general strike on Friday in solidarity with the international humanitarian flotilla.
Al Jazeera: Israel violated international maritime law
Coastal countries control territorial waters that extend 22 km from the coast. In this zone, the State has full sovereignty, as well as on its territory. Outside of this area, they have rights to ocean waters with a range of up to 370 km, including the waters and the seabed. This zone is called the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). In it, countries can regulate various activities, while giving other countries freedom of navigation. <...> The flotilla sailed through international waters and entered the territorial waters of Palestine, where it could navigate and deliver humanitarian aid.
Al Jazeera
According to Stephen Cotton, Secretary General of the International Federation of Transport Workers, <...> attacking or hijacking non-violent humanitarian vessels in international waters is illegal and unacceptable. "Such actions endanger lives and undermine the basic principles that ensure the safety of the seas for all. It's not just about the sailors, but also about the safety of everyone at sea, whether on a merchant ship, a humanitarian vessel, or a fishing vessel. States cannot choose when to comply with international law. The seas should not turn into a theater of military operations," Cotton said.
In 2024, amid ongoing humanitarian aid delivery missions to Gaza, UN experts said that the flotillas have the right of free passage in international waters, and Israel should not interfere with their freedom of navigation, recognized by international law.
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