Toni Albir / EPA
The Special Shayetet 13 unit of the Israeli Navy is preparing to intercep the humanitarian flotilla that addresses Gaza. The government warns of “very serious risks” and called on to the Portuguese not to leave the international waters: “Only in this space can protection be ensured” to vessels.
The Israeli Navy is ready to intercepted the global Sumud Flotilla, consisting of more than 50 vessels bound for Gaza and will soon enter a risk zoneMilitary sources reported to the Israelite Kan Public Station.
According to the same sources, the operation will be attended by the special unit “Shayetet 13”, In charge of taking control of vessels that make up the humanitarian flotilla in the high sea, within the Israeli army interception area.
The Navy plans transfer activists to a large military ship And towing the vessels to the Port of Ashdod, with the possibility of some being sunk into the sea, indicated the same sources.
Israel has reiterated that will not allow the entry of the flotilla In the waters of Gaza, keeping the blockade imposed on the Palestinian enclave.
The Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antonio Tajanihe revealed today to have asked the Israelite counterpart, Gideon Sa’ar, so that it would not resort to violence against the Italian citizens who make up the flotilla.
“They are not there with warlike intentions. We must avoid absolutely any problem with anyone, ”said the head of Italian diplomacy, stressing that the mission aims to bring humanitarian aid and does not represent a military threat.
The humanitarian flotilla, composed of about 50 vesselsincluding one with, it recently departed to break the Israelite block and deliver groceries to the Gaza Strip, Initiative rejected by Telavivewhich argues that the action is supported by the Palestinian extremist group Hamas.
Global Sumud Flotilla, which was yesterday morning at the end of the morning to 200 nautical miles (about 370 kilometers) from the coast of Gaza, entered tonight in Israeli risk zonesaid Tony La Piccirella, one of the Italian activists who is part of Flotilha, quoted by international agencies.
In the same statements, La Piccirella said the vessels will not stop.
Last week, Israel assured that “will take the necessary measuresTo stop the flotilla. Israel also imposed a blockade to deliver humanitarian aid in the enclave, where more than 400 people have died of malnutrition and hunger, most children.
Government reiterates appeal to Portuguese
The government reiterated this Tuesday the appeal to Portuguese activists aboard the flotilla to Keep in international waterswarning to “very serious risks”.
“Given the information available about the current location of the flotilha, we make a new appeal that Do not leave the international waters; out of this space holds very serious risks that they will be aware of”Wrote the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Paulo Rangelto the leader of the Left Bloc, Mariana Mortágua, to actress Sofia Aparício and activist Miguel Duarte, the three Portuguese who make up the flotilha.
In the message, to which Lusa had access, the head of Portuguese diplomacy recalls that the Italian frigates that are available to provide help consular and humanitarian will not leave the international waters.
“Without questioning respect for individual autonomy, we leave this new appeal and remember that There is effective availability to make help humanitarian that carry Gaza through Cyprus”The government insisted.
This proposal, advanced by Italy and which would have the collaboration of the Catholic Church, has already been rejected by activists, who claim to want to break the blockade Israelite to the Palestinian enclave.
In the same message, Rangel states that the Italian authorities “have reiterated this request so that this international maritime domain is not left. The protection that assured us can only be given in this space”He stressed.
The ongoing war in Gaza was triggered by by the terrorist organization Hamas on October 7, 2023, which caused about 1,200 dead and 251 hostages.
The retaliation of Israel has already caused more than 66 thousand deadthe destruction of almost all Gaza infrastructures and the forced displacement of hundreds of thousands of people.
Israel also imposed a blockade to deliver humanitarian aid in the enclave, where more than 400 people have died of malnutrition and hunger, most children.
