Khaberni - Channel 12 reported on Thursday that the Israeli navy seized about 50 boats carrying 400 activists who were on their way to break the siege on Gaza, and informed the activists on board the boats that they were under arrest.
The activists reported that soldiers from the Israeli navy boarded their boats and changed their course near the islands of Crete and Sicily in the Mediterranean Sea, and demanded them to stand at the front of the boats and stop the engines. The activists also confirmed that the Israeli forces pointed their weapons at them and tried to impede the fleet's course by causing technical disturbances in the navigation systems and communication devices on board the ships.
The Steadfastness International Fleet reported that the Israeli boats ordered participants to kneel on their hands and knees at the front of the boats and jammed the communications.
According to Channel 12, during the Israeli navy's control over the Steadfastness Fleet boats, an Israeli army representative spoke to them through the boats' communication network, saying: "This is the Israeli navy. We have changed our course and will return to the starting point. If you need humanitarian assistance, you are invited to continue sailing to Ashdod port. If you attempt to continue sailing to Gaza, we will take all possible measures to prevent you from violating the law. It is dangerous for you to continue your course, and if you do, we will arrest you and take the necessary legal actions. You are responsible for your actions."
The Israeli army has not issued any official comment on these developments so far.
The fleet had set off from Barcelona, Spain, passing through the island of Sicily, then continued its journey to Keriat Ataturk. From Keriat Ataturk, the activists intended to reach Gaza. The number of activists on board the ships is 404, distributed across 58 ships.
