Israel intercepts the Flotilla off Cyprus
Israeli forces took control of Gaza-bound boats. According to the Turkish Anadolu Agency, the operation is taking place in international waters
According to Israeli media, Tel Aviv's armed forces have taken control of the boats of the Global Sumud Flotilla, lying towards Gaza, in the waters off Cyprus. A live stream, shown by the Times of Israel, shows Israeli navy commandos boarding one of the expedition ships off the coast of Cyprus.
Boarding operations
"A few minutes ago, IOF (Israeli Occupation Forces) ships began intercepting the boats of the Global Sumud Flotilla," communicated the initiative's spokeswoman in Italia, Maria Elena Delia, stressing that the operation is taking place "illegally" and "in international waters". The Turkish news agency Anadolu reports that "Israeli forces have started to attack the boats of the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters". According to tracking data, the Global Sumud Flotilla, which consists of some fifty boats heading towards the Gaza Strip, is currently west of Cyprus, having departed from Turkey on Thursday.
Flotilla: 'Lost contact with a ship after Israeli intervention'
The flotilla claimed to have lost contact with one of its boats after an Israeli intervention. 'Two warships were spotted near the boats in the Mediterranean. We have lost contact with one of our boats, which was harassed by the Israeli army,' said the Flotilla's crisis unit, as reported by Anadolu, which points out that the operation is taking place in international waters. According to Israeli media, however, IDF soldiers took control of the Flotilla boats off the waters of Cyprus.
