Israel seizes last vessel of global sumud flotilla

Israeli forces have taken control of the last active vessel of the Global Sumud Flotilla bound for Gaza. The Polish-flagged ship is named The Marinette.

A live video released by flotilla organisers on Friday morning local time showed Israeli troops boarding the vessel and surrounding six activists on board.

According to Al Jazeera, Israel has now detained all 44 ships of the flotilla, including The Marinette. Nearly 500 activists have been arrested so far. On Thursday, 43 vessels were intercepted, leaving The Marinette the only active ship in the main fleet until Friday morning.

Reports said the vessel was in international waters of the Mediterranean, about 80 kilometres from Gaza’s coast, when Israeli forces seized it. Israel’s foreign ministry issued a warning that any attempt to enter an active war zone or break the blockade would be stopped.