Belgians aboard new aid flotilla intercepted by Israel
The Israeli army intercepted a new aid flotilla bound for Gaza on Wednesday morning. At least four Belgians were aboard the flotilla, according to videos posted on X by the organisation Global Sumud Flotilla.
The Belgian activists are Dan Jans on board the Um Saad, Youssef Reziki and Mohamed Azzouz on board the Anas Al Sharif, and Bénédicte Lienard on board the Gaza Sunbird.
“If you are seeing this video, we have been intercepted at sea and I have been kidnapped by the Israeli occupation forces,” they all said a video message, in which they called to put pressure on the Belgian government to demand their immediate release.
International law violations
Lawyers representing Reziki, a rapper performing under the name Youssef Swatt's, have expressed deep concern over the "arbitrary capture and detention" of their client by Israeli armed forces.
According to the lawyers, intercepting and detaining civilians participating in a humanitarian mission on the high seas constitutes "serious violations of international law".
"The boarding, forced transfer and detention of civilians outside any legitimate judicial or military framework constitutes kidnapping contrary to international law, and engages the international responsibility of the State of Israel," they said, adding that some of these acts "may qualify as war crimes".
Nine boats
Freedom Flotilla confirmed on Telegram that all nine boats have been intercepted by Israel. Belgian citizens Fadwa El Khattabi and Hanne Bosselaers are believed to have been on board the aid flotilla too, but there has been no news about them yet.
The Israeli foreign ministry had previously reported "another futile attempt to breach the legal naval blockade". According to the ministry, the ships and their crews have been taken to an Israeli port and will be deported soon.
© PHOTO PASCAL POCHARD-CASABIANCA / AFP
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