UN Experts Condemn Israel's Interception of Gaza Aid Flotilla
Experts demand immediate release of activists detained during operation in international waters.
A group of UN experts has condemned Israel’s interception of a humanitarian flotilla bound for Gaza and called for the immediate release of activists detained during the operation in international waters.
The condemnation came via a statement signed by several UN special rapporteurs and independent experts, including Francesca Albanese, Reem Al-Salem, and George Katrougalos.
The experts stated that Israeli forces intercepted 22 boats carrying humanitarian aid to the besieged Gaza Strip on April 29, about 500 nautical miles off Israel’s coast, detaining 180 civilians taking part in what they described as a peaceful humanitarian mission.
The experts expressed serious concern over the capture in international waters and reported severe mistreatment of these activists.
The statement accused Israel of violating international law and said the operation demonstrated a determination "to continue its genocidal policy of suffocating the population of Gaza by any means necessary".
According to the statement, one vessel in the flotilla was sabotaged and left adrift with passengers on board, while those detained were later released in Crete.
At least 35 people reported severe mistreatment and sexual assault that the experts said could amount to torture or inhumane and degrading treatment.
The experts also mentioned Thiago Avila, a Brazilian national, and Saif Abu Keshek, a Spanish-Swedish national, who had been transferred to Israel and remained in detention under harsh conditions, including reported isolation.
They began a hunger strike in protest, the statement said.
The UN experts criticized the Greek coastguard’s failure to respond to repeated distress calls from the flotilla despite the vessels being within Greece’s search and rescue zone.
The statement raised alarm about possible complicity by European governments.
Furthermore, the experts highlighted the broader humanitarian crisis in Gaza, stating that Israel, as a party to the Fourth Geneva Convention, was obligated to facilitate humanitarian aid deliveries.
They emphasized that the starvation of civilians as a method of warfare is unlawful.
The UN experts urged governments to condemn attacks against civilian vessels, secure the release of those detained, and ensure reparations for violations of international law.
They acknowledged that when the international community failed to ensure the delivery of humanitarian supplies, global civil society took action.
The experts called on states to take necessary action to prevent genocide and support all efforts to deliver aid to the Palestinian population.
The condemnation came via a statement signed by several UN special rapporteurs and independent experts, including Francesca Albanese, Reem Al-Salem, and George Katrougalos.
The experts stated that Israeli forces intercepted 22 boats carrying humanitarian aid to the besieged Gaza Strip on April 29, about 500 nautical miles off Israel’s coast, detaining 180 civilians taking part in what they described as a peaceful humanitarian mission.
The experts expressed serious concern over the capture in international waters and reported severe mistreatment of these activists.
The statement accused Israel of violating international law and said the operation demonstrated a determination "to continue its genocidal policy of suffocating the population of Gaza by any means necessary".
According to the statement, one vessel in the flotilla was sabotaged and left adrift with passengers on board, while those detained were later released in Crete.
At least 35 people reported severe mistreatment and sexual assault that the experts said could amount to torture or inhumane and degrading treatment.
The experts also mentioned Thiago Avila, a Brazilian national, and Saif Abu Keshek, a Spanish-Swedish national, who had been transferred to Israel and remained in detention under harsh conditions, including reported isolation.
They began a hunger strike in protest, the statement said.
The UN experts criticized the Greek coastguard’s failure to respond to repeated distress calls from the flotilla despite the vessels being within Greece’s search and rescue zone.
The statement raised alarm about possible complicity by European governments.
Furthermore, the experts highlighted the broader humanitarian crisis in Gaza, stating that Israel, as a party to the Fourth Geneva Convention, was obligated to facilitate humanitarian aid deliveries.
They emphasized that the starvation of civilians as a method of warfare is unlawful.
The UN experts urged governments to condemn attacks against civilian vessels, secure the release of those detained, and ensure reparations for violations of international law.
They acknowledged that when the international community failed to ensure the delivery of humanitarian supplies, global civil society took action.
The experts called on states to take necessary action to prevent genocide and support all efforts to deliver aid to the Palestinian population.
