AUSTIN (KXAN) — Army veteran Greg Stoker, an Austin resident, posted on social media that the Israeli Navy interdicted aid ships in international waters as they prepared to approach Gaza.
Stoker, who has been aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla since its launch, is part of the coalition’s contingent of veterans. He served in the U.S. Army as a Ranger.
In posts on X, Stoker said that the navy intercepted the ships around 1 p.m. Central Time, which would be approximately 9 p.m. in Gaza. He said that the flotilla was around “70 to 80 nautical miles” from the coast and traveling around five nautical miles per hour.
“We are currently in international waters … we are a civilian aid mission trying to break the illegal siege of the Gaza Strip and render aid to a people experiencing state-sponsored annihilation,” Stoker said.
Under international agreements, nations only have jurisdiction of waters within 12 nautical miles of its shores.
According to Stoker, the flotilla counted 10 to 12 Israeli Navy vessels, part of a blockade around Gaza. The region is currently undergoing a man-made famine caused by Israel’s restrictions on aid, according to international observers.
“They are telling us to turn off our engines and wait for further instructions, or our boats will be seized and we’ll face the consequences,” he said in a video.
Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir threatened to treat the flotilla, which includes citizens of several nations and European lawmakers, as terrorists. Rep. Lloyd Doggett and Austin City Council members asked Israel in September to allow the flotilla safe passage and fair treatment.
“We must create a clear deterrent. Anyone who chooses to collaborate with Hamas and support terrorism will meet a firm and unyielding response from Israel,” Ben-Gvir said, according to The Jerusalem Post.
According to reporting from The Associated Press, Israel’s Foreign Ministry said that the Navy asked the flotilla to change course and transfer their aid.
In another video posted at 3:42 p.m. CT (11:42 p.m. in Gaza), Stoker said that the ships were firing water cannons at the aid ships, and posted a 19-second video of an Israeli vessel spraying water into an aid ship. He added that Israeli motorboats are moving between aid ships and what he calls a “prison ship.”
“We’re continuing to sail to Gaza, but I think we’re going to come to an end of this potentially. I’ll keep reporting if I can,” said Stoker, who earlier noted that he would continue to give updates for a long as he can.
The flotilla’s official livestream was still broadcasting footage as of 4:47 p.m. In it, an activist said that an Italian warship escorting the flotilla left earlier in the day.
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