gaza flotilla — The Gaza flotilla boat, named the Seiren, is scheduled to leave Cyprus on Saturday following its arrival at Paphos harbour on Friday afternoon. The vessel is part of the Gaza Sumud flotilla, which has sought to deliver humanitarian aid directly to Gaza amid ongoing tensions.
The Seiren docked at Paphos around 5pm, where it underwent necessary repairs thanks to an onboard engineer. However, reports from the ports authority indicate some crew members expressed a desire to abandon the ship. As a result, a crew change is expected, with some original members departing by air while new members arrive to take their place.
After docking, the crew was supplied with food, water, electricity, and fuel. Two crew members required first aid, which was promptly administered by an ambulance crew that responded to the scene. Ports authority director-general Anthimos Christodoulides confirmed that the Seiren was accepted for docking in Paphos after all necessary documents and certificates were checked and found to be valid.
The Gaza Sumud flotilla comprises over 50 boats, and its mission has faced significant obstacles. Just hours before the Seiren’s arrival in Cyprus, reports emerged of the Israeli Navy intercepting various boats and detaining their crews. The Gaza Sumud flotilla reported that 443 individuals had been detained, including prominent activist Greta Thunberg.
Israel’s military intervened as the flotilla approached Gaza, claiming the boats were violating a lawful naval blockade and entering an active combat zone. According to the flotilla’s representatives, these interceptions occurred approximately 70 nautical miles from the coast of Gaza, in international waters, which they describe as illegal actions by Israeli forces.
In the wake of the detentions, protests erupted globally, including in Cyprus, where demonstrators gathered outside the foreign ministry in Nicosia. Tensions escalated as police deployed pepper spray to disperse the crowd.
Upon detainment, the flotilla members were taken to Ashdod in Israel, where they were met by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. In a controversial statement, Ben-Gvir accused the detained members of not carrying humanitarian aid, labelling their actions as supportive of terrorism rather than humanitarian relief.
Earlier in the flotilla’s journey, a proposal emerged from Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni suggesting that the flotilla deliver its aid to Cyprus, where the Catholic church would then distribute it to Gaza. However, the flotilla rejected this proposal, insisting on sailing directly to their destination.
On Wednesday night, Greece and Italy’s foreign ministries made a final appeal to the flotilla, urging them to change course towards Cyprus just hours before the Israeli military began their interceptions. This last-minute appeal prompted frustration from Meloni, who remarked that the flotilla’s actions would not benefit the Palestinian people.
The first of the two boats from the flotilla had already arrived in Cyprus earlier, docking at Larnaca port, which set the stage for the Seiren’s subsequent arrival and preparations for its impending departure.
