Voice for Palestine Cyprus reported that ‘Israeli forces attacked the Turkish Stability Flotilla not in international waters, but within the Exclusive Economic Zone of Cyprus’.

‘In Cypriot waters, Israel has just boarded ships carrying aid to Gaza. The question Cyprus must answer is simple: who are you with?’ the group wrote.

A new piracy operation by Israeli occupation forces against the Global Sumud Flotilla is under way, as Israeli naval units have begun intercepting vessels belonging to the international flotilla carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza.

According to allegations by the mission, Israeli soldiers have already raided at least one of the solidarity flotilla’s ships, which is sailing east of Cyprus.

Earlier, Israel had threatened ‘participants in this provocation’ and urged them ‘to change course and return immediately’, despite the fact that they were sailing 300 miles from Gaza, in international waters.

The flotilla had already reported the presence and suspicious movements of unmarked vessels in the area since early on Monday morning.

The Global Sumud Flotilla consists of 54 vessels, which set sail on Thursday from Marmaris, Turkey, in a renewed attempt to break Israel’s illegal blockade of Gaza, which has been imposed since 2007 and has intensified dramatically since the start of the genocide.

In its announcement, the GSF said:

‘RED ALERT!

‘Military vessels are currently intercepting our fleet and IOF forces are boarding the first of our ships, in broad daylight.

‘We demand safe passage for our legitimate, non-violent humanitarian mission. Governments must act now to stop these illegal acts of piracy that are designed to maintain Israel’s genocidal siege of Gaza. The normalization of the violence of occupation is a threat to us all.

‘TESTIMONY IS PROTECTION.

‘PUT PRESSURE ON YOUR GOVERNMENTS.’

At the same time, Voice for Palestine Cyprus denounced that the Israel Defence Forces attacked the Turkish Stability Fleet not in international waters, but within the Cypriot EEZ.

The group stated:

‘Israeli naval forces attacked the Turkish Stability Fleet inside the Exclusive Economic Zone of Cyprus.

‘Not international waters. Cypriot waters. The same EEZ that Cyprus signed with Israel in 2010, the same agreement that deepened their military and energy cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean.

‘Cyprus hosts British bases that coordinate with Israel. Cyprus has purchased Israeli anti-aircraft technology. Cyprus and Israel have a common crisis management framework.

‘And in Cypriot waters, Israel just boarded ships carrying aid to Gaza.

‘The question Cyprus must answer is simple: who are you with?’

Greek activists sailing on Freedom Flotilla boats confirmed that the flotilla is currently sailing in international waters and is being attacked by the Israeli navy.

‘The Greek government must ensure passage for our fleet here and now!’ March to Gaza Greece wrote.

Earlier, Israeli occupation forces had interfered with the radio frequencies of GSF vessels.

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