Israel raid of Gaza-bound flotilla near Cyprus sparks outrage

The Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla reported Israeli naval forces raiding several of its vessels near Cyprus, in the latest attack on the aid mission in international waters.

In a statement sent to Middle East Eye, the mission said it is "currently surrounded and under active interception by Israeli naval warships in international waters," approximately 250 nautical miles from the Gaza Strip's coast. 

It added that the "military encirclement marks the commencement of another illegal, high-seas aggression".

Footage released show Israeli forces circling and seizing a number of boats reportedly off the coast of Cyprus.
The organisers asserted that Israel "continues to demonstrate a systematic disregard for international maritime law, freedom of navigation on the high seas, and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)".

Read more: Israel raid of Gaza-bound flotilla near Cyprus sparks outrage