Armed Commandos Board Gaza-bound Flotilla Boats, Live Stream Shows

Armed commandos board Gaza-bound flotilla boats, live stream showA live stream from the Global Sumud Flotilla showed armed commandos boarding boats attempting to reach Gaza, as Israeli forces moved to intercept the humanitarian convoy in the eastern Mediterranean. Organisers of the flotilla said Israeli naval units surrounded several vessels in international waters before boarding operations began. Live video feeds shared online showed armed personnel climbing onto boats while activists raised alarms and urged governments to intervene. The Global Sumud Flotilla, made up of more than 50 vessels carrying hundreds of activists from dozens of countries, had set sail from Turkey in an effort to challenge Israel’s blockade of Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid. Organisers described the mission as peaceful and civilian-led. According to flotilla representatives, Israeli forces intercepted multiple boats roughly 250 nautical miles from Gaza. Some activists reported communications interference and surveillance before commandos boarded the vessels. Israel said it was enforcing its long-standing naval blockade on Gaza, which it argues is necessary to prevent weapons from reaching Hamas. Israeli officials described the flotilla as a political provocation rather than a genuine humanitarian mission.Turkey condemned the interceptions as “piracy” and demanded the immediate release of its citizens who were aboard the flotilla. Human rights groups and several international activists also criticised the operation, arguing that the vessels were operating in international waters and carrying humanitarian supplies. The flotilla operation is the latest in a series of attempts by activists to break the blockade on Gaza, which has been in place since 2007. Similar missions in recent years have also been stopped by Israeli forces before reaching the territory. The incident comes amid continuing international concern over humanitarian conditions in Gaza, where aid agencies have warned of severe shortages of food, medicine and fuel after months of conflict.