Israeli armed forces board Freedom Flotilla to Gaza and kidnaps crew

Following numerous warnings from the Freedom Flotilla crew, Israel's mission to prevent solidarity donations from reaching Gazans has been confirmed.  In a nighttime operation, the Israeli occupation navy boarded the Madleen and kidnapped its crew and the activists on board.

In the latest message shared on the humanitarian mission's Telegram channel, which provides live updates on its journey, its members report: "Connection has been lost on the Madleen.  The Israeli Army has boarded the ship."

This is a serious attack and violates international law, as it is being carried out in international waters and against an entirely civilian vessel carrying hundreds of kilograms of humanitarian aid for the residents of Gaza.

The volunteers intended to break the Israeli siege on the entry of aid amid the profound humanitarian crisis faced by Gazans due to incessant Israeli attacks, the destruction of more than 80% of the enclave's vital infrastructure, and the constant siege of its hospitals.

Minutes earlier, the mission reported that the sailboat was being attacked by Israeli quadcopters that sprayed the ship with a white, chemical irritant.

"They are launching chemicals.  This is another war crime waiting to happen," denounced activists aboard the Madleen, who claim that Israeli drones launched the chemicals at the unarmed passengers of the humanitarian vessel.

For now, direct communications with the volunteers are blocked, and they have been arrested by the Israeli Army.

On the official Telegram channel, activists are denouncing the kidnapping of their fellow volunteers and calling for pressure on the governments of all nations to keep the crew members safe.