Detention cells and a floating prison: Israel’s new plan against the Sumud flotilla

According to these reports, as the flotilla approaches the Gaza Strip, Israel is preparing to launch an assault on its vessels. The new plan includes seizing the boats and holding activists in pre-prepared detention cells.

Channel 13 (Hebrew) reported that under this plan, naval commando units of the Israeli army would seize control of all vessels participating in the flotilla. All activists would then be transferred to a larger ship, from which they would be collectively taken to Ashdod port.

The report explained that, for the first time, this larger ship would be equipped with facilities resembling “detention cells,” effectively turning it into a floating prison. Anyone who refuses to voluntarily return to their country of origin would be detained there.

As part of the plan, the activists’ boats would be emptied of passengers and then either confiscated or sunk.

International concerns over an imminent Israeli attack on the global Freedom Flotilla heading toward Gaza have intensified following drone strikes off the coast of Greece.

Nine ships belonging to the flotilla were heavily targeted by drones, resulting in 12 explosions and varying degrees of material damage.

Field sources reported that 15 drones flew over the area where the ships were located. The attack involved widespread disruption of communications and the dropping of unidentified substances onto some of the vessels.

The Sumud Flotilla Monitoring Committee condemned the incident as a war crime and a blatant violation of international law, urging the United Nations and the international community to take immediate action to protect volunteers and humanitarian aid.

Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Palestine, also stressed the urgent need to ensure protection for the ships and activists.

Meanwhile, the International Committee to Break the Siege of Gaza issued a statement warning that the recent attack could be a prelude to a more serious assault. It called for the issue to be placed on the agenda of the ongoing UN General Assembly session and for direct protection of the ships and volunteers through naval escorts and international diplomatic monitoring.