Israeli navy’s interception attempts fail as flotilla nears Gaza, organisers say

The Israeli navy reportedly attempted to block a flotilla heading toward Gaza but was unable to halt its progress, according to organisers.

Wael Naouar, a spokesman for the Maghreb branch of the Global Sumud Flotilla, said in a statement on Facebook that Israeli warships first tried to intercept the lead vessel Alma. Despite the manoeuvre, the rest of the flotilla proceeded unopposed.

Naouar added that a second interception attempt was directed at another lead ship, Sirius, but the remaining vessels again bypassed the navy’s efforts. He claimed that when the flotilla regrouped around Sirius, Israeli forces shifted their focus there but were met with a similar outcome.

According to the spokesman, Israeli warships later tried to break up the flotilla by approaching from multiple directions, but the vessels manoeuvred and stayed on course. He described the attempts as a test of determination, saying: “Even if you stop 47 vessels, the 48th will continue on to Gaza.”

Israeli authorities have not immediately issued a statement on the claims.