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Israeli naval forces intercepted an international aid flotilla bound for Gaza on Thursday, detaining more than 450 activists and seizing more than 40 vessels, according to flotilla organisers and Israeli officials.
The Global Sumud Flotilla said on social media that 42 boats were intercepted and their passengers transferred to Ashdod Port in southern Israel. Activists came from more than 45 countries, including Spain, Italy, Brazil, Türkiye, Greece, the United States, Germany, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and France.
One ship, the Marinette, was reported to still be sailing, around 80 nautical miles from Gaza after delays caused by technical issues. Cameras broadcasting live showed armed Israeli personnel boarding vessels, with passengers wearing life vests and raising their hands. The Israeli Foreign Ministry later released video showing Swedish campaigner Greta Thunberg seated on a deck surrounded by soldiers.
Israel confirmed that those detained would be deported to Europe in the coming days. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said he expected deportations to begin early next week, while Turkish authorities said they had launched an investigation into the detention of 24 Turkish citizens.
The interception triggered protests in several cities, including London, Madrid, Rome, Karachi, Buenos Aires, and Mexico City. Italian unions announced a general strike for Friday in response. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan condemned the operation, while South African President Cyril Ramaphosa called for the release of South Africans on board, including Nelson Mandela’s grandson, Nkosi Zwelivelile Mandela.
The International Committee to Break the Siege on Gaza (ICBSG) alleged Israeli naval forces used water cannons, ramming and forcible boarding, and mistreated detainees. These claims could not be independently verified. The flotilla organisers said their vessels were less than 80 nautical miles from Gaza when intercepted. Activists reported communications being jammed. Israel’s public broadcaster KAN said the operation lasted around 12 hours, with all intercepted ships towed to Ashdod.
The flotilla, carrying humanitarian aid such as medical supplies and food, set sail in late August. It was the largest convoy in years to attempt to reach Gaza, consisting of more than 40 civilian vessels with parliamentarians, lawyers, and activists on board.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) said Thursday that 11 ships remain sailing toward Gaza to challenge Israel’s blockade. Two vessels flying Italian and French flags departed Otranto on 25 September, joined by the Conscience on 30 September, and are expected to link with the “Thousand Madleens to Gaza” convoy.
Around 100 people are on board the boats, currently off the coast of Crete, according to the FFC.
At least 69 people have died and almost 150 injured following a powerful 6.9-magnitude earthquake off the coast of Cebu City in the central Visayas region of the Philippines, officials said, making it one of the country’s deadliest disasters this year.
A tsunami threat was issued in Chile after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck the Drake Passage on Friday. The epicenter was located 135 miles south of Puerto Williams on the north coast of Navarino Island.
The war in Ukraine has reached a strategic impasse, and it seems that the conflict will not be solved by military means. This creates a path toward one of two alternatives: either a “frozen” phase that can last indefinitely or a quest for a durable political regulation.
A shooting in Nice, southeastern France, left two people dead and five injured on Friday, authorities said.
Snapchat will start charging users who store more than 5GB of photos and videos in its Memories feature, prompting backlash from long-time users.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met King Charles III at Windsor Castle on 24 October, ahead of planned talks with European leaders in London.
Uzbekistan and the European Union (EU) are set to sign a new Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA), marking a major step in bilateral relations and placing Uzbekistan among the EU’s closest partners in Central Asia.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan said the United States and others must do more to push Israel to stop violating the Gaza ceasefire agreement, including the possible use of sanctions or halting arms sales.
Southeast Asian leaders and global partners, including U.S. President Donald Trump, will gather in Kuala Lumpur from 26 to 28 October to discuss trade, regional conflicts and global security, with East Timor set to join ASEAN as its 11th member.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for 23 October, covering the latest developments you need to know.
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