Israel intercepts in international waters the Flotilla heading towards Gaza
Israeli authorities reportedly stopped the ship and targeted the crew with lasers and assault weapons
BarcelonaIsrael has intercepted some of the humanitarian aid ships that are part of the Sumud Flotilla heading to Gaza. This was reported by Israeli radio, citing military sources, and confirmed by the Global Sumud Flotilla through a statement in which they assure that speedboats identified as the Israeli army have stopped their ships. According to their account, they pointed their lasers and semi-automatic assault weapons at the crew members and ordered them to position themselves at the front of the boats and get on all fours.
"We saw lights and many drones, and we lost communication with many ships," Pau Pérez, a crew member of the Venus, one of the Flotilla's boats, tells ARA. Pérez, who describes a climate of confusion, assures that they intercepted the ships leading the fleet and that they heard shots, although they don't know if they were directed at someone or were just warnings. And he recalls that the ships are currently in international waters near Crete, therefore, outside of Israel's jurisdiction.
The Global Sumud Flotilla set sail from Barcelona bound for Gaza on April 15th with 39 boats.