Israeli Navy Intercepts Gaza-Bound Flotilla: Activists Forced to Kneel, SOS Sent as Drones Circle
Reflecto News | Breaking News | Middle East
MEDITERRANEAN SEA — The Israeli Navy has begun intercepting a large civilian flotilla attempting to breach the Gaza blockade, with activists reporting that Israeli forces boarded their vessels, forced participants to kneel at gunpoint, jammed communications, and flew drones overhead as an SOS was issued .
The incident unfolded on Wednesday as the “Global Sumud Flotilla” — a fleet of approximately 100 vessels carrying over 1,000 activists from more than a dozen countries — was sailing toward the Gaza Strip .
🚢 The Interception: ‘Get on Your Hands and Knees’
According to official statements from the flotilla organizers, Israeli military speedboats approached the fleet while still far from Israeli shores, possibly near the Greek island of Crete .
Activists on board gave a harrowing account of the encounter:
- Military vessels identified themselves as belonging to “Israel” .
- Israeli personnel pointed lasers and semi-automatic assault weapons at the civilian crews .
- Orders were given for participants to move to the front of the boats, get on their hands and knees, and raise their hands in the air .
“Our boats were approached by military speedboats, self-identified as ‘israel’, pointing lasers and semi-automatic assault weapons ordering participants to the front of the boats and to get on their hands and knees,” the Global Sumud Flotilla posted on social media .
The group also reported that communications on their vessels were being jammed and that an SOS was issued . Drones were observed circling overhead, likely conducting surveillance .
📜 ‘We Will Not Bow Down’: Israel’s Justification
Defense Minister Israel Katz has imposed sanctions on the fundraising campaign for the flotilla, accusing Hamas of orchestrating the operation under the guise of a civilian humanitarian mission .
“The driving force behind the flotilla is Hamas — joining hands with professional provocateurs — with the aim of sabotaging President Trump’s peace plan and intended to divert attention from Hamas’s refusal to disarm,” Israel’s Foreign Ministry wrote in a statement .
The Israeli military confirmed that the navy had begun intercepting the vessels, which organizers say include around 1,000 healthcare workers and participants from over 100 countries .
No injuries have been reported thus far during the boarding operations.
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