A flotilla of boats leaves the port of San Giovanni Li Cuti in Sicily, Italy, September 27. Israeli officials intercepted the flotilla Tuesday and detained some 150 people on board the vessels. Photo by Orietta Scardino/EPA
Oct. 8 (UPI) -- The Israeli government said it intercepted a new flotilla of nine vessels attempting to transport food and medical supplies to the Gaza Strip.
The Israel Foreign Ministry said the vessels, which carried 150 people, tried to break the blockade Tuesday, and all vessels and passengers were transported to an Israeli port.
"Another futile attempt to breach the legal naval blockade and enter a combat zone ending in nothing," the ministry said in a post on X. "All the passengers are safe and in good health. The passengers are expected to be deported promptly."
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition and the Thousand Madleens to Gaza organizations jointly operated the mission, the BBC reported. Those on board one of the boats, the Conscience, said an Israeli military helicopter "attacked" them and several of the boats were being "illegally intercepted and hijacked."
