The Israeli navy, which maintains a maritime blockade in the Mediterranean off the Gaza Strip to prevent the internationally recognized terror groups ruling the Palestinian territory from smuggling weapons into the enclave, stopped a yacht last night which was sailed by a dozen women seeking to break the Israeli blockade and reach Gaza.
The IDF said its navy towed the yacht to the port of Ashdod after male and female forces boarded the vessel named “Zaytouna-Olivia”, which set said from Barcelona under a Dutch flag last month. An IDF statement said that “In accordance with international law, the Israeli navy advised the vessel numerous times to change course prior to the action.
Following their refusal, the navy visited and searched the vessel in international waters in order to prevent their intended breach of the lawful maritime blockade of the Gaza Strip.” The statement also noted that no force was required to stop the vessel.
Palestinians gathered on the shoreline to protest the Israeli imposed blockade on the Hamas-run territory. A Gaza activist, Adham Abu Silmeyyeh condemned the Israeli move to board the Zaytouna-Olivia, claiming it was done unlawfully.
“The Israeli navy exercises piracy in the international waters against a boat that was in a humanitarian mission for Gaza. This boat is holding the Dutch flag and nationality. What happened is a terrorism from the country and piracy which is against all the international law. And it is a crime that is considered a war crime that Israel carried out against 13 international female supporter of Gaza, we have no idea about their destiny now as we lost contact with them an hour and a half ago,” said Abu Silmeyyeh.