Three ships currently being held in Israel’s Ashdod port
At least three Gaza aid flotilla ships are currently being held at Israel’s Ashdod port, Al Jazeera’s fact-checking agency Sanad confirms.
Tracking data from the website Marine Traffic shows Capten Nikos, sailing under a Greek flag; Estrella y Manuel and Adara, both flying under the Spanish flag, have been towed to southern Israel.
The Sumud Flotilla said Israeli naval forces intercepted and boarded the Capten Nikos and other boats “illegally” while en route to Gaza.
Rima Hassan, a European Parliament lawmaker and one of the passengers aboard the Capten Nikso, shared footage of Israel’s interception earlier. She also said the activists have been detained “illegally” by Israeli troops in international waters.
Member of the European Parliament, Rima Hassan, in Strasbourg, France, in 2024
Belgium summons Israel envoy over flotilla interception
Belgium’s Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot has decried Israel’s seizure of flotilla boats as “unacceptable” and says he summoned the Israeli ambassador.
“The manner in which they were boarded and the location in international waters are unacceptable, which is why I summoned the ambassador,” Prevot told politicians.
Israel must ensure ‘food and medical supplies’ for starved Gaza: UN
The UN’s human rights office has called Israel’s capture of aid vessels in international waters unlawful after nearly all the ships bound for Gaza were seized.
“As the occupying power, Israel must ensure food and medical supplies for the population to the fullest extent of the means available, or to agree to and facilitate impartial humanitarian relief schemes, delivered rapidly and without hindrance,” UN spokesperson Thameen al-Kheetan said.
Al-Kheetan also called on Israel to respect the rights of the hundreds of Sumud flotilla activists it has detained, including the right to challenge the legality of their detention.
