Israeli diplomats assured that all of the detainees are safe and in good health, sharing a photo showing Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, who was among the crew of one of the boats.
According to the flotilla’s organizers, Israeli forces intercepted 19 of the 43 vessels carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza, while 30 boats are still on their way. The detained group includes four Polish citizens.
This was confirmed to Polish Radio by Rafał Piotrowski, spokesperson for Global Movement to Gaza Poland, who added that among those detained is Polish MP Franciszek Sterczewski.
The Polish Embassy in Tel Aviv reported on Thursday morning that, in response to reports of Polish nationals being detained, it immediately established direct contact with the relevant Israeli authorities regarding the matter.
Earlier, Poland’s Foreign Ministry said it was monitoring the situation related to the Global Sumud Flotilla and that Polish consular services remain in contact with the relevant institutions, including Israeli authorities.
“Within the limits of the law and the realities of wartime operations, we will act to provide care for Polish citizens,” the ministry emphasized in a statement released shortly before midnight on Wednesday.
In the latest statement, issued Thursday morning around 9 a.m., the ministry added that the Polish consul is already in Ashdod, a southern Israeli port city, where the detainees are being taken.
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Source: IAR/PR24/X/@RzecznikMSZ/@PLinIsrael/@IsraelMFA/@GlobalSumudF