A bunch attempting to interrupt Israel’s naval blockage of Gaza to ship assist says six Canadians are among the many activists detained because the Israeli navy intercepted boats off the coast of Cyprus.
The World Sumud Flotilla says 5 of its Canadian members and one from the Freedom Flotilla that’s a part of the identical mission have been detained in an ongoing interception 250 nautical miles (463 kilometres) from the shores of Gaza.
It says 12 Canadians had been a part of the mission, which noticed greater than 50 vessels depart from the port in Marmaris, Turkey, final week.
Organizers with the World Sumud Flotilla have described it as the ultimate leg of their deliberate journey to Gaza’s shores to attract consideration to the grim situations for Palestinians dwelling within the war-battered territory.
Shahid Sadabad, an Ontarian who spoke to The Canadian Press from one of many World Sumud Flotilla boats, says the Canadian contingent agreed to go on starvation strike in the event that they had been detained.
World Affairs Canada acknowledged a request for remark, however hasn’t but supplied one.
Not like earlier interceptions, which largely happened underneath the duvet of evening, the Israeli navy boarded the boats in broad daylight.
The World Sumud Flotilla’s livestream confirmed activists aboard a number of vessels placing on life-jackets and elevating their arms earlier than a ship carrying Israeli troops approached. Carrying tactical gear, they boarded the ship, and the livestream abruptly ended. Most of the ships are at the moment off the coast of Cyprus.
Different footage confirmed Israeli forces on speedboats approaching and instructing the activists to maneuver to the entrance of the boat. Not less than 17 boats had been intercepted within the first three hours of the operation, in keeping with World Sumud Flotilla’s tracker.
The flotilla interceptions occurred outdoors Cypriot territorial waters. Israeli authorities had not requested for any help within the interception, in keeping with a Cypriot official, who spoke on situation of anonymity as a result of they weren’t approved to talk publicly on the matter. Israel notified Cyprus that every one folks aboard the intercepted flotilla boats are in good well being, the official added.
Israel has maintained a blockade over Gaza since Hamas took management of the territory in 2007, a 12 months after profitable Palestinian parliamentary elections.
Israel has stated the blockade, which restricts the motion of products and folks out and in of Gaza, was meant to stop Hamas from arming itself. Egypt, which has the one border crossing not managed by Israel, has additionally enormously restricted motion out and in of Gaza.
Critics say the blockade quantities to collective punishment.
-with recordsdata from The Related Press
This report by The Canadian Press was first printed Could 18, 2026.
The Canadian Press
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