The Israeli military has begun intercepting and illegally boarding boats participating in the Global Sumud Flotilla en route to the Gaza Strip—the largest effort yet to break the Israeli blockade on Gaza. Among the parliamentarians, lawyers, activists and journalists taking part in the flotilla is Drop Site News editor Alex Colston, who has been reporting live on the progress of the flotilla from the Sirius-Haifa boat. The flotilla consists of over 40 boats, with over 500 participants from dozens of countries around the world, attempting to deliver humanitarian aid.
On Wednesday night, the Sirius was contacted by an official of the Israeli navy who informed passengers that they were violating a “lawful blockade” and stated that if the boats persisted on their course towards Gaza participants would be arrested and tried under Israeli law. They were under 90 nautical miles from the coast of Gaza. According to reporters documenting the flotilla from other ships, the Sirius was boarded shortly after by Israeli troops. As part of security protocols, Colston and other participants were instructed to throw their phones overboard before interception……….more