Gaza Freedom Flotilla announces nine new ships sailing to break 'Israeli' blockade

The Gaza Freedom Flotilla (GFF) announced that nine ships are currently sailing toward Gaza in an effort to break what it described as 'Israel’s' “decades-long illegal siege” on the coastal enclave.

The announcement comes in the wake of 'Israel' intercepting more than 40 vessels from the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) in previous efforts and detaining at least 500 participants on Thursday.

The GSF has accused the Israeli Occupation of unlawfully intercepting dozens of civilian aid vessels in international waters, detaining hundreds of passengers and preventing desperately needed supplies from reaching Gaza.

According to the flotilla’s organizers, naval units used water cannons, skunk water, and electronic jamming to disable communications before forcing volunteers off their ships. The activists, representing 47 countries, were reportedly transferred to the MSC Johannesburg, a naval vessel, and their whereabouts remain unclear.

“This is an unlawful abduction, in direct violation of international law and basic human rights,” the flotilla said in its statement. “Intercepting humanitarian vessels in international waters is a war crime; denying legal counsel and concealing the fate of those seized compounds that crime.”