Israeli forces board Gaza-bound flotilla near Cyprus, activists say
Israeli forces boarded boats from a Gaza-bound flotilla off Cyprus, activists said. According to the BBC, the activists remain in Israeli custody and the status of the humanitarian cargo is awaiting clarification.
According to the BBC, Israeli forces boarded boats from a Gaza-bound flotilla off Cyprus, activists said. The flotilla had announced it was carrying humanitarian aid and aimed to reach Gaza via the Mediterranean.
Activists were taken into Israeli custody, with most representatives drawn from European civil-society organisations. The interception came shortly after the United States imposed sanctions on the flotilla's organisers, raising diplomatic tensions further.
The Republic of Cyprus said the incident took place outside its territorial waters. Reactions from the EU, UN and humanitarian agencies are being closely watched, and diplomatic channels could be activated for the repatriation and deportation of those held.
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