By Lesedi Sibiya-Diplomatic Insider
The flotilla which is aimed at breaching Israel’s naval blockade in order to provide aid for the people of Gaza, was confronted by an Israeli warship in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) which is led by its main vessel known as the Alma was surrounded by an Israeli warship that had reportedly been circling aggressively for several minutes which led to onboard communications being cut off at the time the incident occurred.
The Israeli vessel had pressured the captain of the Alma to engage in evasive maneuvers as activists onboard the Alma had stated that the Israeli ship that had circled the Alma had also engaged in what it regarded as harassing manoeuvres.
This comes following claims from Israel vowing that they would stop the flotilla from reaching its destination.
Back in June and July, Israel had already blocked two attempts that were made by activists who had the same idea of providing aid to the people of Gaza who are currently experiencing famine.
This latest attempt at breaching the Israeli blockade and reaching Gaza consists of 40 boats and 500 people from all over the globe with countries that include Spain, Italy, Sweden and South Africa.
Thiago Avila, an activist who is currently on board the Alma vessel, stated that all devices had been shut down during the incident including cameras, communication systems and livestreams.
Lisi Proenca who is onboard the Sirius vessel, which is the second ship leading the GSF, had stated that the Israeli ship had circled for approximately 15 minutes and also mentioned that their communication systems had been affected during the time the Israeli ship had circled.
Italian officials, who had been following the Flotilla as a means of protection have said that it will stop doing so until the Flotilla was 150 nautical miles from Gaza’s shoreline (278km) in order to avoid any diplomatic conflict with Israel.
Eyal Pinko who is the former Israeli Intelligence Chief has told BBC that there may be a chance that the naval forces may also be waiting for the Flotilla to get closer to Gaza’s shores to avoid any clash with navies from different countries.
“If I was the decision maker, I would engage them inside Israeli territorial waters in order to avoid escalation” said Pinko.
“The Israeli navy has the full intention and the full will not to escalate with friendly navies and those who are on the ships.” he said further.
The GSF have hopes that they will dock on the shores of Gaza by Thursday morning. Countries such as Greece and Italy have expressed to Israel that they must ensure the safety of the activists who are onboard the GSF and have also expressed that they will attempt to keep a watchful eye on any developments that may occur against the activists.
Greece and Italy had also stated that activists should drop the aid in Cyprus in order for it to be distributed by the Catholic Church. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar have urged the Flotilla to stop its course towards Gaza saying it may end any hopes of ending the conflict.
However, the GSF is determined to reach Gaza and has stated that it will not stop.
“The humanitarian demand to break the blockade cannot be walked back to port” said GSF.