"Huwaida Arraf-the cofounder of the Free Gaza Movement, which preceded the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) and successfully transported people in and out of Gaza with boats in 2008-was sailing toward Gaza on the Conscience. On board were 92 civilians, largely medics and journalists who intended to support their colleagues in Gaza who have explicitly been targeted by Israel's genocide. Their boat joined forces with the eight vessels of the grassroots Thousand Madleens organization, with 145 citizens of 30 countries, including the United States,"
"But on early Wednesday morning, according to flotilla spokespeople, Israel descended onto the fleet with a helicopter and abducted everybody on board, along with $110,000 worth of aid. The Conscience is being boarded by the Israeli military. This comes from my colleague Henri Sulku who is aboard the flotilla as a reporter. He seems to have been taken hostage by the Israeli government."
Starting on October 1, Israel abducted over 400 unarmed international activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla, which aimed to deliver food, baby formula, crutches, medical supplies, and other essentials to Gaza. The raid on the more than 40-vessel flotilla lasted over 30 hours. Volunteers were held for days in Ketziot prison in the Negev desert, where they report humiliation and brutality by Israeli authorities. While that raid occurred, nine additional boats were en route, including the Conscience with 92 civilians and medics and eight Thousand Madleens vessels with 145 citizens from 30 countries. Flotilla spokespeople report a helicopter assault, mass abductions, and seizure of $110,000 in aid.
Read at The Nation
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