The Sumud flotilla, which includes representatives from over 40 countries attempting to bring aid to the residents of Gaza, entered the so-called high-risk zone on Wednesday, some 140 kilometers from the Gaza coast. Although still in international waters, approximately 20 Israeli warships appeared to intercept them.
Contact was lost with some of the ships after 8 p.m., according to Do Rzeczy, although communication with others was later restored.
“It looks like we’ll be kidnapped and transported to Israel. The slogan ‘Free Palestine’ is still relevant,” reported one of the mission participants.
Aside from well-known activists, including Greta Thunberg, Civic Coalition (KO) MP Franciszek Sterczewski was also on board one of the boats.
“MP Franciszek Sterczewski was kidnapped by the Israeli Occupation Forces in international waters during a legitimate, peaceful humanitarian mission of the Global Sumud Flotilla. Intercede with the Polish authorities on Franciszek’s behalf and his companions!” reported the Global Movement To Gaza Poland profile, as cited by wPolityce.
Poland’s deputy speaker of the Senate, Magdalena Biejat, has called on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to take action on the matter, which says it is monitoring the situation.
The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs argues that the flotilla was violating the naval blockade of the Gaza Strip and was ordered to change course. It also offered the activists the opportunity to deliver humanitarian aid through “secure channels.” The mission participants, in turn, claim their goal is to directly provide support to the residents of Gaza.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said he had received assurances from the Israeli authorities that the interception operation would be non-violent and should end by this morning.
The Israeli navy has previously stopped ships attempting to break the blockade, and Israeli authorities made it clear they would not allow the flotilla to enter the Gaza Strip.
Franciszek Sterczewski’s last post on X read: “I confirm. We are less than 100 nautical miles from Gaza. An alarm has been initiated. Everyone is wearing life jackets on board. We are waiting for events to unfold.”
Reactions came fast on social media, with Marcelina Zawisza, MP from Razem, posting: “Israel is hijacking civilian ships carrying humanitarian aid to starving Gaza in international waters. Radosław Siorski, sanctions on Israel immediately! Will you continue to be blind to genocide?! What more does Netanyahu have to do to be treated on par with Putin?! How many children does he have to murder before you finally do something?!”
Meanwhile, attorney Bartosz Lewandowski, who works at the Ordo Iuris Center for Litigation Intervention, posted: “I hope MP Franciszek Sterczewski will be okay. At the same time, I wonder if he’s as bold and outspoken towards Israeli services as he was towards Polish soldiers and Border Guard officers on the Polish-Belarusian border in 2021…”
