Israeli officers on Sept. 25 accused the World Sumud Flotilla, a convoy of about 50 boats making an attempt to interrupt the blockade of the Gaza Strip, of working underneath the quilt of humanitarian work whereas serving the pursuits of the Hamas terrorist group and different armed teams.
At a press convention in Jerusalem, Israeli intelligence analyst Ziv Haba and Israeli Ministry of International Affairs Director Basic Eden Bar Tal introduced what they described as proof tying flotilla organizers to Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the Standard Entrance for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), and the Hezbollah terrorist group.
The flotilla, which set sail from Greece earlier in September, contains legal professionals, lawmakers, and activists from throughout Europe.
Swedish local weather campaigner Greta Thunberg is amongst these on board.
Italy and Spain deployed navy ships to accompany their residents after the flotilla reported drone assaults in current days, incidents for which Israel has not taken duty.
Israeli International Minister Gideon Sa’ar on Sept. 25 reiterated that the ministry wouldn’t allow a breach of the naval blockade.
“Israel will not allow vessels to enter an active combat zone and will not allow the breach of a lawful naval blockade,“ he said. ”Israel continues to be prepared to interact in any constructive association for transferring support in a authorized and peaceable manner.”
Sa’ar mentioned the flotilla rejected an Italian proposal, accepted by Israel, to unload the help in Cyprus for switch to the Gaza Strip. He argued that the refusal confirmed that the flotilla’s actual purpose was provocation and serving Hamas.
The World Sumud Flotilla activists on Sept. 25 referred to as for a protected passage and mentioned their “mission will continue because governments are not stopping Israel’s crimes against humanity.”
Intelligence Claims
Haba, co-founder of Israeli intelligence agency The Intel Eye, introduced a report that he mentioned was compiled utilizing open-source evaluation and proprietary de-anonymization instruments.
He mentioned investigators recognized 10 directors of the March to Gaza Greece on-line group, which he alleged fashioned a part of the World Sumud Flotilla’s coordination construction.
The flotilla was not unbiased however a part of a wider umbrella that features the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, identified for previous makes an attempt to breach Israel’s blockade, he mentioned.
One key determine recognized, in keeping with Haba, was Saif Abu-Kishk, described as a senior organizer linked to Hamas-affiliated entities.
“Our investigation revealed that at least seven senior figures involved in Global Sumud Flotilla network have documented a repeated link to designated terrorist organizations, primarily Hamas, but also [Palestinian Islamic Jihad], PFLP, and even Hezbollah,” Haba advised reporters.
Haba additionally pointed to what he mentioned was photographic documentation of flotilla leaders assembly Hamas and PFLP officers overseas.
“This isn’t about assumption or association,” he mentioned. “This is direct evidence of operational overlap between the flotilla leadership and designated terrorist organizations. This is not a humanitarian initiative.”
The World Sumud Flotilla advised The Epoch Occasions, “We do not have a comment on these latest tactics by the Israeli government to distract from their war crimes.”
March to Gaza Greece and Abu-Kishk didn’t reply to requests for remark by publication time.
Political Place
Bar Tal mentioned the flotilla had rejected a number of proposals to unload support at different ports, together with Ashkelon in southern Israel and amenities in Cyprus and Greece.
“Israel made a very clear statement and a very peaceful proposal to the organizers,“ he said. ”We provided the Ashkelon proposal. Sadly, the proposal was rejected twice.”
Bar Tal mentioned that simply earlier than the press convention, flotilla leaders had turned down an Italian authorities suggestion to unload provides in Cyprus.
He mentioned Israel is prepared for a peaceable association to unload the help at any port that can settle for the help and guarantee that it’ll go on to the Gaza Strip.
When requested concerning the presence of a Portuguese parliamentarian on board, Bar Tal mentioned Israel would cease the flotilla however “do its utmost to protect the safety of the passengers.”
Responding to allegations that Israel was behind drone assaults on the flotilla close to Tunisia and Greece, he mentioned, “I will not comment on any verified claims, but everybody should know these passengers and the passengers of former flotillas, whatever were the claims, all of them … are safe, and we will do our utmost to keep them safe at any stage.”
Israel launched its marketing campaign within the Gaza Strip after the Hamas-led assault on Oct. 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 individuals had been killed and greater than 250 taken hostage.
Based on the Hamas-run Gaza Well being Ministry, greater than 65,000 individuals have been killed since then.
That quantity doesn’t distinguish between combatants and civilians and contains some deaths from pure causes.
The Epoch Occasions can’t confirm the figures.
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