Cliff Notes
- Israel intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla, consisting of nearly 50 vessels and 500 people, aimed at breaching the blockade of Gaza, which has been in place since 2007.
- Israeli officials labelled the flotilla a “provocation” and reiterated the blockade’s necessity to prevent weapon smuggling to Hamas.
- As tensions escalate, protests against the interception took place across Europe, coinciding with ongoing military operations in Gaza resulting in civilian casualties.
Gaza latest: Protests erupt around world after Israel detains Greta Thunberg – as dozens of boats continue aid mission | World News
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That’s all for now of our live coverage of the war in Gaza.
Tonight’s main story was Israel intercepting the Global Sumud Flotilla as it sailed towards Gaza.
Almost 50 vessels carrying nearly 500 people had been trying to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza.
Israel imposed the blockade on Gaza in 2007 after Hamas took control of the coastal enclave and it has blocked numerous attempts to reach Gaza since, including a vessel in 2010 by its special forces, in which at least nine Turkish activists were killed.
Israel argues the blockade is necessary to stop weapons from being smuggled to Hamas, and called Thunberg’s previous attempt to reach Gaza a propaganda stunt in support of Hamas.
The first mentions of the interception came from the activists onboard the ships.
Several took to social media saying ships were approaching them.
Israel repeated its previous allegation that the flotilla was a “provocation”, pointing to the fact organisers refused alternative ways to get the aid into Gaza.
It also shared a video of climate activist Greta Thunberg, the best-known participant on the flotilla, surrounded by Israeli soldiers saying she was “safe and healthy”.
The interception has been ongoing for hours, and is expected to continue well into the night.
Watch Thunberg being detained here…
Meanwhile…
Israel’s assault of Gaza City continues, with defence minister Israel Katz saying the IDF had almost surrounded the urban centre.
Gaza City is the focus of an Israeli campaign, where it has levellled high-rise buildings and demanded all Palestinians leave.
Katz said any Palestinians who remain behind will be considered a terrorist and face the “full force” of Israel’s army.
As all this unfolds, at least two more people, including a child, died of famine in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
Simultaneously, the deadline set by Donald Trump for the militant group continues to tick down.
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said it remained in place, and that “sensitive discussions” were ongoing.
A source familiar with Hamas’ deliberations with other factions told Reuters news agency: “Accepting the plan is a disaster, rejecting it is another; there are only bitter choices here, but the plan is a Netanyahu plan articulated by Trump.”
And across Europe, protests against the interception of the flotilla were held in Istanbul, Athens, Rome and Barcelona.
