Israeli navy vessel docking at Ashdod port as Israel stops some aid flotilla boats nearing Gaza

Reuters. An Israeli navy boat was seen approaching the docks of Ashdod port on Thursday morning (October 2) after Israeli forces stopped 14 boats carrying foreign activists and aid bound for Gaza earlier, flotilla organisers said.

But 23 boats that are part of the Global Sumud Flotilla continue to sail towards the war-ravaged Palestinian enclave, according to the flotilla’s tracking system.

The Israeli foreign ministry said in a statement “several vessels of the Hamas-Sumud flotilla” had been “safely stopped” with crew and passengers transported to a port in Israel.

The Global Sumud Flotilla aims to deliver medicine and food to Gaza and consists of more than 40 civilian boats, with about 500 parliamentarians, lawyers and activists aboard.

It has posted several videos on Telegram with messages from individuals aboard the boats, some holding their passports and claiming they had been abducted and taken to Israel against their will, while reiterating that their mission was a non-violent humanitarian cause.

The flotilla is the highest-profile symbol of opposition to Israel’s blockade of Gaza.

Its progress across the Mediterranean Sea garnered international attention as nations including Turkey, Spain and Italy sent boats or drones in case their nationals required assistance, even as it triggered repeated warnings from Israel to turn back.

Israel’s interception of the flotilla sparked protests in several countries, including Italy and Colombia.

Italian unions called a general strike for Friday (October 3) in solidarity with the international aid flotilla.

Israel’s navy had previously warned the flotilla it was approaching an active combat zone and violating a lawful blockade, and asked them to change course.

It had offered to transfer any aid peacefully through safe channels to Gaza.