At least 87 people detained by Israeli forces from a Gaza-bound aid flotilla have started a hunger strike, according to organizers. Israeli forces had previously intercepted the last boat in international waters.
The group declared the hunger strike “to protest their unlawful abduction and to show solidarity with the more than 9,500 Palestinian hostages held in Israeli prisons,” according to a statement by the Global Sumud Flotilla on X on Wednesday.
On Tuesday evening, Israeli forces “abducted” six people on the boat Lina al-Nabulsi, the organizers said. That boat was the last of more than 50 vessels that departed the Turkish port of Marmaris last week, heading for Gaza to break Israel’s blockade of the Gaza Strip.
Israel’s foreign ministry confirmed on Tuesday evening that its forces were bringing hundreds of flotilla participants to Israel. A ministry spokesperson said: “Another PR flotilla has ended. All 430 activists have been transferred to Israeli vessels and are on their way to Israel, where they will be able to meet consular representatives,” calling the effort “just a PR stunt.”
Israeli forces began intercepting ships in international waters off the coast of Cyprus on Monday, organizers said, boarding vessels and allegedly firing rubber bullets and abducting participants.
Those detained included nine Indonesian citizens, according to an Indonesian foreign ministry spokesperson on Wednesday. Indonesia called for the immediate release of all ships and said “every diplomatic channel and consular measure will continue to be used fully.”
About 15 Irish citizens, including Margaret Connolly, a doctor and sister of Irish President Catherine Connolly, were among those detained.
Countries including Turkey, Spain, Jordan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Brazil, Indonesia, Colombia, Libya and the Maldives condemned Israel’s ship interceptions as “a blatant violation of international law and international humanitarian law.”
However, the United States imposed sanctions on four activists for their involvement in flotillas attempting to reach Gaza, stating there was no evidence that the organizers acted “in support of Hamas.”
Some participants in previous flotillas have refused food while in Israeli custody. Pro-Palestinian activists imprisoned in the UK also participated in a months-long hunger strike that drew attention beginning last year and led to serious health consequences.
