AGENCIES

World leaders and rights groups yesterday condemned Israel’s interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla, as a relentless assault on Gaza killed 77 more Palestinians.

Armed Israeli soldiers boarded around 45 ships that were attempting to break a naval blockade to deliver aid to the Palestinian enclave, arresting more than 400 foreign activists, including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg. All but one of the two dozen vessels of the flotilla have now been seized.

Meanwhile, protests supporting the Gaza flotilla and the cause of Palestinians were held in several countries, including Spain, Italy, Argentina, Malaysia and Colombia.

Israel said it would deport the detained pro-Palestinian activists, adding that none of the vessels had breached its maritime blockade of the territory.

The Global Sumud Flotilla of around 45 vessels began its voyage last month, with politicians and activists, to Gaza, where the United Nations says famine has set in.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said he expected the members of the flotilla to be expelled from Israel on Monday and Tuesday and sent to European capitals on charter flights.

“All the passengers are safe and in good health,” the Israeli foreign ministry said on X after they began to be taken ashore in Ashdod.

“One last vessel of this provocation remains at a distance. If it approaches, its attempt to enter an active combat zone and breach the blockade will also be prevented.”

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