Ships from a new international flotilla to Gaza were intercepted this morning by the Israeli army in the waters off the Palestinian enclave, the Israeli government and the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), which coordinates the initiative, reported Agence France-Presse and Reuters, quoted by BTA.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry condemned on the network "Ex" "a futile attempt to infiltrate a combat zone", adding that "the vessels and passengers have been transferred to an Israeli port and are expected to be expelled quickly".
The coalition reported at least three intercepted vessels.
The indirect talks in Sharm el-Sheikh have been ongoing since Monday and are part of a plan proposed by US President Donald Trump to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza. The plan includes the release of hostages taken by “Hamas“ and other Palestinian militants during the attacks of October 7, 2023, which triggered the Gaza war.
In exchange for the hostages, Israel is expected to release 250 Palestinian prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment and more than 1,700 Palestinians held in Gaza during the war. The plan also includes a phased withdrawal of Israel from the Gaza Strip and the disarmament of “Hamas“. On Sunday, the Palestinian group said it was ready to conclude an agreement to end the war in the Palestinian territories and carry out an immediate exchange of hostages and prisoners with Israel.