Israel says Gaza flotilla ended without major incident, no vessels breached blockade

The attempt by a large activist flotilla to break the Israeli maritime blockade on the Gaza Strip has ended without major incident.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry says the “provocation” by the Global Sumud Flotilla “is over.”

“None of the Hamas-Sumud provocation yachts has succeeded in its attempt to enter an active combat zone or breach the lawful naval blockade,” it says.

Contrary to claims made by some activists — based on wrong tracking information — none of the flotilla’s vessels managed to reach the Israeli-controlled waters off the coast of Gaza, the military has asserted. Tracking data showed one of the flotilla’s boats, Mikeno, apparently appearing suddenly off the coast of Gaza in the morning, where it ostensibly remained for hours with a reported speed of 0 knots and 0° course, indicating the tracker was faulty.

The ministry says “all the passengers are safe and in good health. They are making their way safely to Israel, from where they will be deported to Europe.”

One vessel, with possible mechanical issues, remains at sea at a distance from Gaza. The ministry says that “if it approaches, its attempt to enter an active combat zone and breach the blockade will also be prevented.”