Israel’s Foreign Ministry announced on Wednesday that the Israeli Navy has thwarted a second major attempt in a week to breach the maritime blockade of Gaza, intercepting a flotilla organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition. The incident immediately drew accusations of a "military attack" from the activist group.
The nine vessels, carrying approximately 100 activists, had sailed from Italy two weeks prior, intending to challenge the Israeli naval restrictions imposed on the Gaza Strip since Hamas seized control in 2007.
Israel: "Another Futile Attempt"
The Foreign Ministry confirmed the successful interception, characterizing the mission as a failure and a deliberate provocation:
“Another futile attempt to breach the legal naval blockade and enter a combat zone ended in nothing. The vessels and the passengers are transferred to an Israeli port. All the passengers are safe and in good health. The passengers are expected to be deported promptly.”
The Ministry noted that all detained passengers were "safe and in good health" before being promptly processed for deportation. The IDF has yet to issue a comment on the operation itself.
