Israeli forces fired at least two vessels in an aid flotilla heading towards Gaza on Tuesday, as confirmed by video footage and flotilla organizers. However, Israel stated that no live ammunition was used, and there were no casualties reported. Video streaming from the flotilla displayed soldiers shooting at two boats, but the specific type of ammunition used remained unclear.
The Israeli foreign ministry clarified in a statement that live ammunition was not deployed at any point. They indicated that after issuing multiple warnings, non-lethal methods were utilized as a cautionary measure towards one vessel, not the protesters. The ministry asserted that no protesters sustained injuries during the incident.
The Global Sumud Flotilla announced on its website that 48 vessels were intercepted, with approximately 400 individuals detained, while two boats continued sailing in the eastern Mediterranean. Israel emphasized its stance on Monday, stating that it would not tolerate any breach of the legal naval blockade on Gaza.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan criticized the intervention against the flotilla participants, referring to them as “voyagers of hope,” and urged the international community to take action against Israel’s actions. The Global Sumud Flotilla set sail for the third time from southern Turkey, with 426 individuals from 39 countries participating in the mission.
The U.S. Treasury imposed sanctions on four European activists aboard the flotilla, namely Saif Abu Keshek, Jaldia Abubakra Aueda, Hisham Abdallah Sulayman Abu Mahfuz, and Mohammed Khatib. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent labeled them as “pro-terror.” Pro-Palestinian activists expressed frustration, alleging that Israel and the U.S. wrongly equate their advocacy for Palestinian rights with supporting Hamas extremists.
Despite a ceasefire agreement in October promising increased aid, Palestinians and international aid organizations reported that the supplies reaching Gaza remained insufficient. The majority of Gaza’s population, over two million people, have been displaced, residing in damaged homes or makeshift shelters due to the conflict.
The flotilla disclosed that hundreds of detained activists from various nations were being transported forcibly by an Israeli vessel to an undisclosed port. Among them were more than a dozen Irish nationals, including the sister of Irish President Catherine Connolly. Ireland’s Prime Minister Micheál Martin condemned Israel’s interception in international waters as “absolutely unacceptable.”
Regarding Canadian involvement, at least 11 out of the 12 Canadians on board participating in the Gaza-bound flotilla were detained by Israeli authorities. Global Sumud Canada informed CBC News about the situation, while Global Affairs Canada affirmed its awareness and readiness to provide consular assistance to Canadian citizens involved in the incident.
