Israeli forces on Wednesday intercepted a new Gaza-bound aid flotilla, days after thwarting another maritime convoy that had tried to break an Israeli blockade on the war-battered Palestinian territory.
The Global Sumud Flotilla first reported that three of its vessels had been "attacked and illegally intercepted by the Israeli military" in the early morning, 220 kilometres off the coast of Gaza.
It later said all nine of the flotilla's vessels had been intercepted, including the Conscience, adding it was carrying more than 90 journalists, doctors and activists.
Israel has blocked several international aid flotillas in recent months from reaching Gaza, where the UN says famine has set in after two years of devastating conflict.
As the war drags on, solidarity with the Palestinians has grown globally, with activists, protesters across the world and increasingly governments condemning Israel for its conduct.
Israel confirmed on Wednesday it had intercepted boats entering waters it says fall under its blockade of Gaza.
The pro-Palestinian activist group Freedom Flotilla Coalition said the boats were carrying "vital aid worth over $110,000... in medicines, respiratory equipment, and nutritional supplies that were destined for Gaza's starving hospitals".
Turkey's foreign ministry accused Israel of carrying out an "act of piracy", describing the intervention against the flotilla as "an attack on civil activists, including Turkish citizens and members of parliament".
Israeli authorities detained Belgian rapper Youssef Swatt's aboard one of the boats, his lawyers said.
Last week Israeli naval forces stopped another flotilla of 45 vessels from the Global Sumud campaign that was carrying politicians and activists including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg.
The move drew mass protests across Europe.
Israel expelled Thunberg and scores of fellow campaigners on Monday, many of whom complained of mistreatment at the hands of the Israeli authorities.
Family members of the Mexican activists who were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, which sought to deliver aid to Gaza and were detained by Israeli forces, chant slogans as the activists arrive in Mexico City, on Wednesday. REUTERS
Mexican activist Laura Alejandra Velez, with Sol Gonzalez, Arlin Medrano, Ernesto Ledesma and Diego Vazquez, gestures as she speaks to the media upon arriving at Mexico City International Airport with other Mexican activists who were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, which sought to deliver aid to Gaza and were detained by Israeli forces, in Mexico City, on Wednesday. REUTERS
Mexican activist Diego Vazquez is embraced upon arriving at Mexico City International Airport with other Mexican activists who were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, which sought to deliver aid to Gaza and were detained by Israeli forces, in Mexico City, on Wednesday. REUTERS
A screengrab from a live footage video shows an Israeli soldier smashing the CCTV camera of "Gaza Sunbird", a Gaza-bound vessel which is part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, with a gun as the boat is intercepted by Israeli security forces, in this screengrab obtained from a video released on Wednesday. Freedom Flotilla Coalition/Handout via REUTERS
Crew of "Conscience", a Gaza-bound vessel which is part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, sit aboard the boat as they are intercepted by Israeli security forces, in this screengrab obtained from a video released on Wednesday. IHH/Handout via REUTERS
South African activist Carolyn Shelver reacts as she arrives with others at OR Tambo International Airport in Kempton Park on Wednesday after being stopped, detained and later released by Israeli forces while sailing aboard vessels from the Gaza-bound aid flotilla. AFP
Mandla Mandela (CR), South African activist and grandson of the late Nelson Mandela reacts as he conducts a press conference with Zaheera Soomar (CL), Fatima Hendricks (2nd R), Carolyn Shelver (R), Reaaz Moola (2nd L) and Zukiswa Wanner (L) after arriving at OR Tambo International Airport in Kempton Park on Wednesday after being stopped, detained and later released by Israeli forces while sailing aboard vessels from the Gaza-bound aid flotilla. AFP
Pro-Palestinian supporters wave a flag as they wait for the arrival of South African activists at OR Tambo International Airport in Kempton Park on Wednesday that were stopped, detained and later released by Israeli forces while sailing aboard vessels from the Gaza-bound aid flotilla. AFP
