Humanitarian flotilla bound for Gaza intercepted
Sources close to the Global Sumud Flotilla are in a position to confirm that the boat “Deir Yassin,” part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, was intercepted and its 24 crew members, including Aziz Rhali, a health activist and member of the People's Health Movement, were abducted by Israeli forces as they approached less than 150 nautical miles from the coast of Gaza carrying humanitarian aid for war victims.
“A short while ago, the ship ‘Deir Yassin’ was stormed and our comrade Aziz Rhali, along with the other comrades on board, were abducted,” the source said by telephone.
As Aziz Rhali announced, from the moment of his capture he began a hunger strike until all members of the humanitarian flotilla are released. In the photo, Rhali can be seen moments before the attack on the boat in which he was traveling, holding the letters “F” and ‘P’ in his hands, standing for “Free Palestine.”
Media outlets have reported that Israeli warships attacked the flotilla with water cannons and attempted to sink ships belonging to the Global Freedom Flotilla in an attack that began with the jamming of communications and on-board cameras.
The flotilla, which is carrying powdered milk and humanitarian aid for the besieged and starving people of Gaza, has already been the target of direct attacks, and several activists, health personell and journalists have been taken captive. Israeli forces are now attempting to storm and sink more ships.
The People's Health Movement demands the immediate release of Aziz Rhali and all volunteer humanitarian activists abducted, and that emergency humanitarian aid reach innocent civilian victims.
The People's Health Movement considers the interception of the flotilla and the detention of Dr. Aziz Rhali, a member of the movement, to be a flagrant violation of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.
The movement further calls on the governments of the countries to which the activists belong to pressure the occupying authorities to end the crimes of genocide and deliberate starvation of the civilian population, lift the blockade of the Gaza Strip, and allow the urgent delivery of humanitarian aid to those in need.
