Priyanka Tiwari
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Suspense crime, Digital Desk : The Israeli navy has intercepted a pro-Palestinian aid ship, the Handala, which was attempting to breach the long-standing naval blockade of the Gaza Strip. The vessel, part of the "Freedom Flotilla" coalition, was carrying a group of international activists, including high-profile climate campaigner Greta Thunberg.
According to a statement from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the navy intercepted the ship in the Mediterranean Sea after it failed to heed warnings to change its course. The IDF reported that the takeover was conducted peacefully and without incident, stating that the action was in accordance with international law.
The ship was subsequently escorted to the Israeli port of Ashdod. The activists on board, including Thunberg, were detained and are expected to be processed for deportation.
Israeli authorities have maintained that the naval blockade, in place since Hamas took control of Gaza in 2007, is a necessary security measure to prevent weapons and other illicit materials from entering the territory. The IDF reiterated that the humanitarian aid found on the Handala would be inspected and transferred to Gaza through the established land crossings.
The Freedom Flotilla and its supporters, however, condemn the blockade as a form of collective punishment that has led to a severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Their stated mission is not only to deliver aid but also to draw global attention to the situation and challenge the legality of the maritime siege. This interception is the latest in a series of similar attempts over the years to break the blockade by sea, often resulting in the seizure of ships and the detention of activists.
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