- Title: Israel impounds activist yacht attemping to breach Gaza maritime blockade
- Date: 5th October 2016
- Summary: GAZA CITY, GAZA (OCTOBER 5, 2016) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PEOPLE WAITING ON SHORE OF GAZA CITY FOR THE ARRIVAL OF THE 'ZAYTOUNA-OLIVIA' YACHT, IMPOUNDED BY THE ISRAELI NAVY AFTER TRYING TO BREACH ISRAEL'S BLOCKADE ON GAZE VARIOUS OF BOATS WITH MEN ABOARD, HOLDING PALESTINIAN FLAGS MEN ON BOATS VARIOUS OF MEN IN SCOUTS UNIFORMS WAITING ON SHORE GAZAN ACTIVIST, ADHAM ABU SILMEYYEH, SPEAKING TO SCOUTS (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) GAZAN ACTIVIST, ADHAM ABU SILMEYYEH, SAYING: "The Israeli navy exercises piracy in the international waters against a boat that was in a humanitarian mission for Gaza. This boat is holding the Dutch flag and nationality. What happened is a terrorism from the country and piracy which is against all the international law. And it is a crime that is considered a war crime that Israel carried out against 13 international female supporter of Gaza, we have no idea about their destiny now as we lost contact with them an hour and a half ago." SCOUTS ON BOAT GAZA CITY SHORE
- Embargoed: 20th October 2016 18:26
- Keywords: Israel Palestinians boat women Gaza
- Location: GAZA CITY, GAZA
- City: GAZA CITY, GAZA
- Country: Palestinian Territories
- Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace
- Reuters ID: LVA00152QD9ON
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Palestinians gathered on Gaza City's Mediterranean shoreline on Wednesday (October 5) hoping to welcome a yacht with activists aboard who were attempting to break Israel's nine-year naval blockade of the territory.
But the yacht, the 'Zaytouna-Olivia', had earlier been boarded by the Israeli military and was being towed to the Israeli port of Ashdod, the military said.
The move brought condemnation from Gazan activist Adham abu Silmeyyeh.
"The Israeli navy exercises piracy in the international waters against a boat that was in a humanitarian mission for Gaza. This boat is holding the Dutch flag and nationality. What happened is a terrorism from the country and piracy which is against all the international law. And it is a crime that is considered a war crime that Israel carried out against 13 international female supporter of Gaza, we have no idea about their destiny now as we lost contact with them an hour and a half ago," he said.
Israel says its maritime blockade, imposed when Hamas took power in Gaza in 2007, is to prevent munitions smuggling into the territory.
"In accordance with international law, the Israeli navy advised the vessel numerous times to change course prior to the action. Following their refusal, the navy visited and searched the vessel in international waters in order to prevent their intended breach of the lawful maritime blockade of the Gaza Strip," a military statement said.
The yacht, with an all-female crew, had been sailing under the Women's Boat to Gaza activist mission. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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