Last Ship of 42-Vessel Pro-Palestinian Naval Mission Intercepted by Israel's Military
The last boat of the 42-strong aid flotilla trying to break Israel's longstanding maritime blockade on Gaza has been intercepted by Israel's naval forces.
Mission Interception and Expulsion Procedures
Based on government statements, processes are presently in progress to remove the about 450 participants currently in holding. Within those apprehended are multiple Italian parliamentarians who are expected to return to Italy on a regular commercial flight.
Remaining Boat Information
Footage from Thursday night depicted the last vessel being crewed by multiple activists, including several Turkey's individuals, a Germany's national, and an Omani participant. The Australia's commander of the boat declared via live stream: "We have a team of highly resilient Turkey's participants aboard... we're planning to proceed in our path."
Per a mission representative, the ship had joined the fleet delayed after stormy conditions compelled it to return to dock in the Catalan port.
Past Precedent
The stoppage marks the closest any unapproved aid effort has come to the Gaza Strip coast since Israel enforced its naval blockade in two thousand nine. The vessel was stopped when it was approximated to be forty-two point five maritime miles from the coast.
Earlier endeavors by humanitarian workers to penetrate the naval embargo have been stopped by armed intervention. In twenty ten, ten Turkey's participants were killed when Israeli commandos raided the Mavi Marmara as it headed an humanitarian mission toward Gaza.
Other Vessel Details
Another ship called Mikeno seemed to have entered into Gaza's maritime zone, idling 9 maritime miles off the beach before being stopped. However, coordinators stated they had been unable to reach with the boat's crew hours before.
"It could be a monitoring malfunction or a system problem with the tracking," remarked a official. "We will only have certainty after communicating with the personnel, which is not possible right now as they are being kept by Israel's forces."
Present Circumstances
The held activists from the mission are being transported to Israel where they will face removal processes. Some participants on this most recent attempt, including high-profile participant the environmental campaigner, have been earlier apprehended by Israel's officials while trying to violate the embargo.
Traditionally, protesters held by Israel have generally not been faced legal charges and their involvement has been considered as an immigration issue rather than a legal offense.