Relatives of Israeli hostages held by Hamas sail off Ashkelon on Thursday, August 7, 2025. (AP/Leo Correa)
Relatives of Israeli hostages have set sail in a flotilla presented as allowing them to approach the Gaza Strip and get close to their loved ones.
“A boat carrying families of hostages has just departed to sea, heading south to get as close as possible to their loved ones,” a statement from the Hostage Families Forum reads.
More than 20 people boarded several sailboats that departed from the coastal city of Ashkelon carrying yellow flags and posters bearing the images of the hostages, as they shouted their names.
Speaking in English through a megaphone, Yehuda Cohen, whose son Nimrod is being held captive in Gaza, shouts: “Mayday, mayday, mayday. We need all international assistance to rescue the 50 hostages who are nearly two years held by the hand of Hamas.”
Relatives of Israeli hostages held by Hamas sail off Ashkelon, August 7, 2025. (Nadav Porat Hamski / Hostages Families forum)
“Please, we need international help,” Cohen adds.
According to marine tracker date for one of the boats in the flotilla, the vessel sailed some 2 nautical miles away from Ashkelon before turning back, and never reached closer than 5 nautical miles from Gaza’s waters.
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From the Liveblog of
Thursday, August 7, 2025
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