WASHINGTON, United States: The United States on Tuesday issued sanctions against four people associated with a humanitarian aid flotilla to the besieged Palestinian territory of Gaza, accusing them of being “pro-terrorist.”
Israeli forces intercepted a Gaza-bound aid flotilla on Monday after it sailed from Turkiye last week, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denouncing the mission as a “malicious scheme” intended to support Hamas.
The flotilla was part of the broader Global Sumud initiative, an international activist and humanitarian coalition that organizes civilian boats attempting to deliver aid to Palestinians in Gaza and challenge Israel’s naval blockade of the territory.
“The pro-terror flotilla attempting to reach Gaza is a ludicrous attempt to undermine President (Donald) Trump’s successful progress toward lasting peace in the region,” said US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
Despite a ceasefire, Israeli operations in Gaza have continued and the Palestinian territory continues to face a humanitarian crisis, according to the United Nations.
