Oct. 8 (UPI) — The Israeli government said it intercepted a new flotilla of nine vessels attempting to transport food and medical supplies to the Gaza Strip.
The Israel Foreign Ministry said the vessels, which carried 150 people, tried to break the blockade Tuesday, and all vessels and passengers were transported to an Israeli port.
“Another futile attempt to breach the legal naval blockade and enter a combat zone ending in nothing,” the ministry said in a post on X. “All the passengers are safe and in good health. The passengers are expected to be deported promptly.”
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition and the Thousand Madleens to Gaza organizations jointly operated the mission, the BBC reported. Those on board one of the boats, the Conscience, said an Israeli military helicopter “attacked” them and several of the boats were being “illegally intercepted and hijacked.”
The flotilla set sail from Italy about two weeks ago, The Times of Israel reported.
The intervention by Israel comes less than a week after it intercepted a larger flotilla of 42 vessels and detained 450 people. Among them was Swedish activist Greta Thunberg.
Some of those detained from the Global Sumud Flotilla accused Israel of humiliating and abusive treatment while they were detained. Thunberg said she was held in a bedbug-infested cell, denied sufficient food and clean water, and was forced to pose for photos with Israeli flags.
Others said they were physically and verbally assaulted; hooded and shackled; and deprived of food, water and sleep.
Israeli officials denied the allegations.
