The Global Sumud Flotilla, decimated by the interceptions of several of its ships by Israel, continues its journey to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza while governments around the world closely monitor the mission, and several cities, including many in Spain, have called for protests against the Israeli intervention.
According to the latest report from the flotilla, 16 vessels have been intercepted by the Israeli maritime forces while 23 have evaded them. The intercepted ships include the Alma, Adara, Sirius, Aurora, Dir Yassine, Grande Blu, Hio, Huga, Morgana, Otaria, Seulle, Spectre, and Yulara, aboard which about 200 people were traveling, who, according to Israel, are heading to an Israeli port, where deportation procedures will begin.
Among those detained by Israel are 30 Spanish individuals, as well as 22 Italians, 21 Turks, 12 Malaysians, 11 Tunisians, 11 Brazilians, and ten French individuals. There are also citizens from the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Mexico, and Colombia, among many others.
The Israeli interception of the flotilla not only sparked reactions from governments but also civil organizations called for protests in various cities around the world to support the Sumud initiative's journey. In Spain, students from all levels of education are mobilizing this Thursday in most provincial capitals against the "genocide" in Palestine and to demand the severance of all types of relationships with Israel.
More than 20 flotilla vessels are still sailing towards Gaza
A total of 23 ships from the Global Flotilla Sumud were continuing their journey towards Gaza at 06:00 GMT on Thursday, October 2, according to the flotilla's own tracker, after a night of interceptions by Israeli forces in an operation that is still ongoing.
According to the tracking page of the flotilla itself, one of the ships, the Mikeno, is even within Gaza's territorial waters, although it has not been confirmed if it has been intercepted and that's why it is already so close to the coast.
In the last hours, three ships have been boarded: the Oxigono, the All-in, and the Captain Nikos. Previously, the Alma, Adara, Sirius, Aurora, Dir Yassine, Grande Blu, Hio, Huga, Morgana, Otaria, Seulle, Spectre, and Yulara were intercepted.
Catalonia Parliament considers altering the session after the flotilla interception
The Bureau and the Board of Spokespersons of the Parliament of Catalonia are meeting early on Thursday - before the scheduled time for this week's session to resume - to consider if they should alter their plans, after the Global Sumud Flotilla was intercepted near Gaza, reports Efe.
Precisely aboard one of the Flotilla's ships was the president of the CUP parliamentary group, Pilar Castillejo.
Last night, both Castillejo and the former mayor of Barcelona Ada Colau and the Barcelona councilor from ERC Jordi Coronas released videos recorded prior to their detention, in which they called for mobilization to protest against the Israeli actions.
Malaysia urges Israel for the "immediate release" of Malaysians on the flotilla
The Malaysian Government urged on Thursday the "immediate release" of Malaysian citizens detained by Israel during the interception of several ships of the Global Sumud Flotilla, traveling to Gaza with humanitarian aid, reports Efe.
"I urge that all Malaysians and international activists and volunteers be released immediately! It is a humanitarian mission with unarmed civilians carrying vital aid for Gaza," said Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
Compromís demands Les Corts to condemn the flotilla boarding and detentions
Compromís has demanded that Les Corts Valencianes strongly condemn the "illegal boarding" carried out by the Israeli army against several ships of the Global Sumut Flotilla and the "illegal detention" of its members, for whom they have demanded "immediate release," reports Efe.
In a statement, Compromís states that this "violent action," which has resulted in the "arbitrary detention" of the crew members, including the Valencian coalition's deputy Juan Bordera, constitutes a "flagrant violation of international law and an attack on the fundamental human rights of the Flotilla members."
After recalling that it is an international peaceful civil initiative that aimed to "break the illegal blockade of Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid to the Palestinian population suffering genocide by the Israeli government," they have demanded that Les Corts condemn the assault on the Flotilla and the detention of one of its deputies.
Iran condemns the interception of the Sumud Flotilla by Israel
Iran condemned on Thursday the interception in international waters by Israel of ships from the Global Sumud Flotilla, heading to Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid, reports Efe.
The spokesman for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ismail Baghaei, described in a statement the interception of the vessels by the Israeli maritime forces as "a flagrant violation of international laws and an act of terrorism."
The diplomat called on the international community to "take urgent action" to stop the genocide in Gaza.