News- Middle East: The Global Sumud Flotilla, an international aid fleet bound for Gaza, has entered waters designated a “danger zone,” where activists fear an imminent attack or interception by Israeli forces.

The Flotilla organizers said on Tuesday that the fleet was around 220 nautical miles away from Gaza, 150 from the "high-risk zone." They added that the vessels remain on course despite Israeli threats.

“We are about 420 kilometers (nearly 226 nautical miles) away from reaching Gaza,” the International Committee for Breaking the Siege on Gaza stated early Tuesday.

The organization called on supporters globally to pile pressure on their governments and international institutions for the protection and safe passage of its vessels.

“As we approach the high risk ‘orange zone’ we need eyes on the Flotilla! Witness provides protection,” the statement noted.

Roos Ykema, an activist from the Netherlands, said in a video statement that the activists aboard the flotilla were facing high risk of being abducted by the Israeli forces.

“Today, we are going to approach the zone after which Israel is known to start kidnapping people from boats.”

“I demand of Israel to lift the siege, to stop the blockade, stop the genocide, allow food into Gaza, because the Palestinian people are starving,” Ykema added.

The Global Sumud Flotilla has launched round-the-clock live streams from several of its vessels on social media, a precautionary measure aimed at documenting and deterring potential Israeli attacks.

The deputy spokesman for the German foreign ministry, Josef Hinterseher earlier stated that there is a risk of violent intervention by Israel to stop the international aid flotilla.

The flotilla was attacked last week by projectiles launched by Israeli drones, while anchored in Tunisia on September 8 and 9. The Tunisian government described the attacks as "premeditated".

On September 16, the foreign ministers of 16 countries called on the Israeli regime “to refrain from any unlawful or violent act against the flotilla, to respect international law and international humanitarian law.”

The statement also warned of consequences if the ships come under attack in international waters or if participants are detained.

Their statement stressed that “any violation of international law and human rights of the participants in the flotilla, including attacks against the vessels in international waters or illegal detention, will lead to accountability.”

Israel has previously intercepted Gaza-bound ships, seizing the vessels and deporting those on board.

In May this year, the ship Conscience was struck by armed drones just 14 nautical miles off Malta, igniting a fire that nearly sank the vessel.

In June, the Madleen was intercepted 100 nautical miles from Gaza, deep in international waters.

The Global Sumud Flotilla, made up of about 50 ships with over 500 activists onboard, set sail earlier this month to break Israel’s blockade and deliver humanitarian aid, particularly medical supplies, to the besieged Palestinian territory

According to the organizers, the Sumud flotilla has been described as the largest maritime mission of its kind in decades, with more than 50 vessels and delegations from at least 44 countries expected to converge on Gaza’s waters in coming days.

Palestinians in Gaza have been battling genocide, devastation, and famine. UN investigators recently concluded that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, where more than 66,000 people have been killed since October 2023.

Israel's blockade on humanitarian aid has left Gaza’s 2.2 million residents with dwindling access to food, clean water, and medicine, conditions that UN officials warn have reached a “nightmare scale.”

Source: Press TV