IDF special forces raid ‘freedom flotilla' boat heading to Gaza
The Handala, organised by pro-Palestinian activists, was met by IDF forces approximately 40 nautical miles offshore and brought to the port of Ashdod, in Israel.
Footage shows an Israeli commando jumping onto the vessel as activists wearing life jackets sit on deck with their hands up.
The incident is the second in recent months in which activists have tried to breach Israel's blockade of Gaza and deliver a symbolic amount of food to raise awareness of famine and starvation in the Strip.
The first attempt saw Greta Thunberg and other activists intercepted on a different boat and later deported.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which organised the voyages, said on Sunday that 21 activists and journalists had been detained by the Israeli military.
The Handala was carrying baby formula, food and medicine, the group said.
Israel has strongly condemned attempts to breach its blockade – in place since shortly after Hamas seized control of the Gaza Strip nearly 20 years ago – branding the previous expedition as the 'selfie yacht'.
However, the human rights group Adalah, which was trying to assist the crew, said the interception breached international law.
It said its lawyers were in Ashdod demanding to speak to the occupants of the vessel, including two French parliamentarians and two Al Jazeera journalists.
'The flotilla never entered Israeli territorial waters, nor was it intended to do so; it was headed toward the territorial waters of the State of Palestine, as recognised under international law,' Adalah said in a statement. 'Israel has no legal jurisdiction or authority over the international waters in which the vessel was sailing.'
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani spoke with his Israeli counterpart, foreign minister Gideon Sa'ar, regarding two Italians on board, Israel's foreign ministry said in a statement. Mr Sa'ar indicated that if they don't agree to leave the country immediately, they would be forcibly repatriated over the next three days.
Also on board were seven US citizens, including a human rights attorney, a Jewish US war veteran and a Jewish-American activist, according to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition.
It comes as Israel faces increasing international scrutiny about hunger levels in Gaza, with the United Nations and multiple foreign governments accusing it of failing to allow in adequate aid.
In recent days, Israel has blamed the UN for failing to distribute aid that has been allowed through, claiming that around 1,000 trucks' worth is sitting waiting to be handed out.
However, the international body says Israel places multiple practical restrictions on delivery.
Airdrops taking place
The Israeli Air Force also airdropped humanitarian aid over Gaza for the first time since the beginning of the war.
Until now, other countries such as the UAE and the UK have airdropped food over the Strip during periods of the conflict, but Israel has not taken direct part in such operations.
On Sunday two Jordanian and one Emirati plane dropped 25 tonnes of humanitarian aid over Gaza Strip, the Jordanian army said in a statement.
The IDF said its aid distribution was carried out in co-ordination with international organisations and led by COGAT (Co-ordinator of the Government Activities in the Territories). The airdrops included seven packages of aid containing flour, sugar and canned food.
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