Irish activists aboard remaining aid ships describe 'intimidation' from Israeli forces
Activists in orange life jackets sit aboard a Gaza-bound Sumud flotilla boat as Israeli navy soldiers sail it into the port of Ashdod after intercepting its journey. Picture: Leo Correa/AP
Irish activists are continuing on humanitarian flotillas carrying aid to Gaza despite Israel’s interception of 39 boats and the arrest of at least 14 Irish citizens.
Three boats were still travelling on the Global Sumud Flotilla to Gaza on Thursday.
A second flotilla, from Thousand Madleens to Gaza, is following, while a third flotilla is already being organised.
Irish author Naoise Dolan and Independent TD Barry Heneghan are aboard one of the Thousand Madleens to Gaza boats.
Flashing lights from drones circle the boats at night in intimidatory "psychological warfare." And drone activity has intensified as the boats have progressed on their humanitarian journey to Gaza.
“We've had an increase in drone activity, we see a lot of surveillance drones as soon as it gets dark," Ms Dolan said.
"And we had a very loud drone yesterday that we think was meant to intimidate. Because real attack drones don't hang around that long, they drop whatever flammable thing they want to drop and then they move on.
“So, so-far it's been more psychological warfare and surveillance than an attack. But we're geared-up for the latter possibility too.
“ I just remember the fact that Palestinians in Gaza grow up with that sound and have tried to sleep through that sound since they were children. And so we have to do the best that we can to reach them.”
Ms Dolan said that she was not surprised that so many boats were intercepted in international waters on Wednesday.
“We knew that they were in exactly the red zone, but it's my friends, it's people I care deeply about.
"And I'm heartbroken for the people that they're trying to reach too. Because it wasn't just symbolism and hope they were carrying, it was food that could have saved the life of a child that might die tomorrow.
“That baby formula might have reached these people. It's a lot to bear and it's what makes us determined to keep going, no matter what, and to keep advocating for people who've been cut off.”
Ms Dolan set sail on Saturday from Sicily and is still approximately six days from Gaza. But she accepts that her boat may also be intercepted as they near the famine-stricken territory.
“We still have a few days to use our voices, to use our platforms, to pressurise the government to open up a proper sea corridor and to defend people in Gaza."
People have been standing on the shores of Gaza recording videos, telling the flotilla that they are there waiting for them.
“The courage that people still have to be on the shore making those videos saying that they're waiting for us, it's enormous," Ms Dolan said.
A vast grey sea peppered with some eight boats surrounded Ms Dolan as they sailed towards Gaza on Thursday.
“It's been choppy, but we're determined to get there as soon as possible," she said.
“We've got a very robust boat. Our sailors sailed it across the Atlantic themselves before.”
The Conscience, the large boat damaged by fire in a drone attack in international waters off Malta in May, has been repaired and is on route to join them, carrying 100 volunteers, mostly medics and journalists, and much-needed aid.
Independent TD Barry Heneghen is another of the seven crew on the boat Ms Dolan is also travelling on.
“We're probably around six or seven days behind the Samud [flotilla which has now been almost entirely intercepted],” Mr Heneghan said.
“We passed through the area last night where they were attacked illegally with the drone strike.
“It’s getting really windy here. So we might be quicker than expected. It all depends on the weather and what direction the wind blows."
So far, high winds are speeding up their journey “which is a good thing for the people in Gaza,” Mr Heneghen said.
"At the end of the day, we just want to bring the baby formula and the aid and the medicine. That's our goal I really hope that we do complete that goal.
“It's ridiculous what the Israeli state has been getting away with.”
Mr Heneghan accepts that being intercepted by Israeli forces is still “the highest likelihood.”
But all aboard are determined to push through in the hope of reaching Gaza and bringing vital aid to starving and sick children.
They are carrying medicine, baby formula, and children’s crutches. Gaza now has the highest number of child amputees in the world according to the UN.
“We're all working at the same thing and keeping eyes on Gaza, opening up the humanitarian corridor and hopefully breaking the illegal siege," he said.
The UN has said that Israel’s interception of civilian aid boats in international waters this week broadens its unlawful blockade of the strip.
"As the occupying power, Israel must ensure food and medical supplies for the population to the fullest extent of the means available, or to agree to and facilitate impartial humanitarian relief schemes, delivered rapidly and without hindrance," spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan told Reuters.
Israel has said that all Irish activists arrested will be deported. But they have been have denied access to lawyers, the Dáil heard.
Sinn Féin foreign affairs spokesman and Cork TD Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire said “that immigration authorities have already begun conducting hearings on their deportation and detention orders in the Ashdod port”, without prior notice to their lawyers.
Meanwhile, Israeli tanks have blocked the main road to Gaza City, preventing anyone who left the besieged city from returning.
It is the last chance for hundreds of thousands of people still inside the city to escape, Israeli defence minister Israel Katz said.
"This is the last opportunity for Gaza residents who wish to do so to move south and leave Hamas operatives isolated in Gaza City itself in the face of the IDF's continuing full-scale operations," Mr Katz said in a statement.
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