The Israeli navy seized about 21 Flotilla vessels and detained approximately 175 activists "hundreds of kilometers from the Israeli coast" and informed them that they were "under arrest," Israeli media reported.

Military speedboats intercepted the vessels of the Global Sumud Flotilla, which set sail for Gaza on April 26 to deliver aid in international waters off Crete. Activists claimed they were subjected to a "violent raid in international waters," during which Israeli forces "systematically disabled several Global Sumud Flotilla vessels."

Of the 57 Italian activists who were arrested, 24 have been arrested, and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani immediately activated the Crisis Unit.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the seizure of the boats and called for the activists' immediate release.

The detained activists, Israeli sources explained to ANSA, were boarded by Navy ships and are en route to the port of Ashdod, a crossing that could take several days. Upon their arrival, "they will be expelled according to procedure."

The other participants of the Flotilla, which includes over 400 activists, reportedly turned around and headed for other destinations, according to the same sources.

Ynet, citing Israeli officials, reports that the flotilla's "main and most significant" vessels have been seized. The others, "left without a leader, have changed direction. We are monitoring them but do not consider them a threat."

"The driving force behind the flotilla's provocation is Hamas, in collaboration with professional provocateurs, with the aim of sabotaging the transition of President Trump's peace plan to its second phase," the Israeli Foreign Ministry stated, also confirming the illegal boarding in international waters. "Due to the size of the flotilla, consisting of over a hundred ships and a thousand men, it was decided to intercept it far from the Israeli coast, in international waters.

"Piracy"

"Israel's actions this evening mark a dangerous and unprecedented escalation: the kidnapping of civilians in the middle of the Mediterranean, more than 960 kilometers from Gaza, before the eyes of the entire world. Let us be clear about what this is. This is piracy, the illegal kidnapping of human beings on the high seas near Crete," the Flotilla said in a statement, emphasizing that Israel can "operate with total impunity, well beyond its borders, without facing consequences."

Again: "The Israeli navy has intercepted ships, jammed communications, including emergency channels, and forcibly abducted civilians. These are not disputed border areas. These are international waters. Even more alarming is the silence. Governments claiming to uphold international law have, once again, said nothing. No urgent condemnation. No immediate demand for the release of prisoners. No call for those responsible to be held accountable. This lack of response is not neutrality, it is authorization and it is complicity."

A "catastrophic" precedent, in short, denounces the Flotilla, which asks where the "kidnapped" civilians are and wonders whether European governments have collaborated.

(Unioneonline/L)

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