‘Never Forget Us’: Live Broadcast Captures Israeli Raid on Gaza Aid Fleet

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The “Freedom Flotilla”, a convoy of 11 ships carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza, was intercepted by Israeli naval forces in international waters early Monday, sparking outrage across multiple countries. The operation took place 120 nautical miles off Gaza’s coast, where Israeli soldiers boarded the fleet’s flagship “Vicdan” via helicopters and military boats.

According to organizers, the flotilla was attempting to break Israel’s blockade on Gaza and deliver urgent humanitarian supplies. Among the 92 detained activists were three Turkish MPs: Sema Silkin Ün of the Gelecek Party, and Mehmet Atmaca and Necmettin Çalışkan of the Saadet Party.

Shots Fired During the Raid, Activists Broadcast Live

Live footage streamed from aboard Vicdan showed Israeli commandos firing warning shots into the air as they stormed the ship. Activists wearing life vests could be seen sitting on deck in accordance with emergency protocols, while others were seen throwing their phones and laptops into the sea to prevent the confiscation of sensitive footage and communication logs.

In the final moments before communication was cut, flotilla spokesperson Kasım Aktağ broadcasted a short message: “The ships have surrounded us… Never forget us.”

Operation Conducted in International Waters Raises Legal Concerns

The interception — carried out well outside Israel’s territorial waters — has drawn sharp criticism from international observers, who argue it violates international maritime law. Legal experts point out that such operations in international waters are only permissible under exceptional conditions, such as piracy prevention or immediate security threats — neither of which apply to the Freedom Flotilla.

The flotilla’s organizers claim the mission was entirely humanitarian, intended to deliver food, medicine, and relief supplies to Gaza, which remains under a tight blockade.

Diplomatic Fallout Expected as Turkey Monitors Situation

The presence of Turkish lawmakers among the detainees has triggered diplomatic alarm in Ankara. The Turkish Foreign Ministry is closely monitoring the situation and has reportedly initiated urgent consultations with Israeli authorities and international organizations to ensure the activists’ safety and release.

This latest confrontation echoes earlier flotilla incidents — most notably the 2010 Mavi Marmara raid, in which Israeli forces killed 10 Turkish activists. Analysts warn that the “Vicdan” operation could once again strain Turkey-Israel relations, which have remained fragile despite recent normalization efforts.

Activists’ Whereabouts Still Unclear

As of press time, the 92 activists — representing various countries — are believed to have been detained and transferred to Israeli custody for interrogation. Human rights organizations have demanded their immediate release, calling for independent verification of their condition and treatment.

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition vowed to continue its efforts, stating that “humanitarian aid cannot be criminalized” and pledging that future missions will set sail “until the blockade on Gaza is lifted.”