{"id":52967,"date":"2025-10-01T19:09:46","date_gmt":"2025-10-01T23:09:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/world\/irish-citizens-on-intercepted-gaza-flotilla-boats\/01\/10\/2025\/"},"modified":"2025-10-01T19:09:46","modified_gmt":"2025-10-01T23:09:46","slug":"irish-citizens-on-intercepted-gaza-flotilla-boats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/world\/irish-citizens-on-intercepted-gaza-flotilla-boats\/01\/10\/2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Irish citizens on intercepted Gaza flotilla boats"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>\n<\/p>\n<div data-article-body=\"true\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">It is understood at least seven Irish citizens have been detained after the Israeli navy intercepted a number of boats carrying aid to Gaza.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Israel&#8217;s Foreign Ministry said several vessels that form part of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) had been &#8220;safely stopped&#8221; and that those aboard were being transferred to an Israeli port.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">It added that the navy had told the vessels to change course as they were &#8220;approaching an active combat zone&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Irish coordinators of the GSF said there are 22 Irish citizens taking part in the flotilla, RT\u00c9 has reported.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The seven Irish citizens detained are senator Chris Andrews, Tadgh Hickey, Tara O&#8217;Grady, Louise Heaney, Sarah Clancy, Diarmuid Mac Dubhghlais and Thomas McCune, according to the Irish broadcaster.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg is also among the detained activists.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>Livestreamed footage shows crew members of the Alma vessel, which includes Belfast man Fra Hughes, sitting on deck as they sail for Gaza [Reuters]<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Multiple ships including the Alma, which includes <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/articles\/ceq2zy4n8d0o?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Byahoo.north.america%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Belfast man Fra Hughes;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Belfast man Fra Hughes<\/a> and is one of the main vessels, as well as the Surius and the Adara, had been intercepted and boarded on Wednesday evening, the GSF said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">It said the flotilla had been 70 nautical miles from Gaza&#8217;s shoreline when the intervention had occurred. The group had hoped its vessels would arrive in Gaza on Thursday morning.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/articles\/c0lk292jww4o?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Byahoo.north.america%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:The GSF described the interception as &quot;illegal&quot;;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">The GSF described the interception as &#8220;illegal&#8221;<\/a> and &#8220;not an act of defence&#8221; but &#8220;a brazen act of desperation&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Israel previously said it would not let the flotilla reach its destination. An earlier attempt saw activists detained by Israeli forces and taken to shore.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\">&#8216;Safety of Irish citizens remains our priority&#8217;<\/h2>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The Department of Foreign Affairs said it is aware of reports that the flotilla has been intercepted and is in direct contact with its Irish representatives.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;The safety of Irish citizens remains our priority,&#8221; it added.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">In a statement, T\u00e1naiste (deputy prime minister) Simon Harris said Ireland &#8220;expects international law to be upheld and all those on board the flotilla to be treated in strict accordance with it&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;Tonight&#8217;s reports are very concerning. This is a peaceful mission to shine a light on a horrific humanitarian catastrophe,&#8221; he added.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"President of Ireland Michael D Higgins speaks at a lectern. We wears a black suit with a white shirt and and a purple floral tie. \" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"540\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/jVyPLVfB4vmLSg3lgMc7kw--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/bbc_us_articles_995\/4d5091d740468498edbd6a8f02d555ac\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>Michael D Higgins says the safety of those involved in the flotilla &#8220;is a concern for us all&#8221; [PA Media]<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Irish President Michael D Higgins said &#8220;the safety and protection of those involved in this humanitarian exercise is a concern for all of us&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;In recent weeks there was a near consensus among members of the United Nations that a Palestinian State should be recognized as an essential building block for peace in the region,&#8221; he said in statement.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;We might well ask where stands this commitment now if a flotilla involving more than 40 boats and more than 500 people from the international community seeking to bring humanitarian aid &#8211; water, medicines and food to those who are in desperate need &#8211; is being prevented from achieving that humanitarian objective.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Chris Andrews wearing a grey suit, he has grey hair\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"540\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/IrsKG003.sMx8yXUTaMyCg--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/bbc_us_articles_995\/0eee10a02396bbf74a023d8737c795e5\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>Sinn F\u00e9in senator Chris Andrews was on board the Spectre [Getty Images]<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">A boat carrying Sinn F\u00e9in senator Chris Andrews was also intercepted, according to his party.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;The flotilla, including Senator Andrews&#8217; boat, the Spectre, was violently assaulted by Israeli military forces, with participants kidnapped by armed Israeli agents,&#8221; a party spokesperson said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Earlier, Andrews <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/chrisandrews64\/status\/1973433855337177586\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:said that his vessel was about to be boarded.;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">said that his vessel was about to be boarded.<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;Israeli warship directly off my boat&#8230; Boarding is imminent and this will likely be my last post before I am kidnapped,&#8221; he posted on social media.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Sinn F\u00e9in president Mary Lou McDonald said she had spoken to Andrews prior to his vessel being boarded.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">In a post shared on X, she said it was a &#8220;moment of huge danger&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;The Irish government must speak out. Irish citizens and all the activists on board must be given safe passage,&#8221; McDonald added.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\">&#8216;These people are peaceful&#8217;, says taoiseach<\/h2>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Earlier, Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Miche\u00e1l Martin called on the Israeli government to &#8220;behave within international law&#8221; when it comes to the Gaza flotilla, but he suggested the flotilla should not progress any further.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Speaking in Copenhagen, Martin said: &#8220;This is not a military operation. These people are peaceful, the people on the various boats. They&#8217;re there to shine a light on the appalling deprivation in Gaza and the lack of humanitarian aid going into Gaza, it&#8217;s a humanitarian mission.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">However, he said the Irish government believed there were dangers involved in approaching Gaza by sea.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;We have said to people, to Irish citizens, that it&#8217;s not an area for safe travel, and people shouldn&#8217;t, in my view, progress further, and should do everything they can to protect themselves and to make sure they don&#8217;t come in harm&#8217;s way.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;But there&#8217;s a huge responsibility also on the Israeli government to handle this with caution and sensitivity and acknowledge that this is a humanitarian mission, first and foremost.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/news\/articles\/irish-citizens-intercepted-gaza-flotilla-215706680.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It is understood at least seven Irish citizens have been detained after the Israeli navy intercepted a number of boats carrying aid<br \/><button class=\"read-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/world\/irish-citizens-on-intercepted-gaza-flotilla-boats\/01\/10\/2025\/\">Read More &rsaquo;<\/a><\/button><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":52968,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/bbc_us_articles_995\/ceda5a1898b13a89f46a22b829cc02a9","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52967"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=52967"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52967\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/52968"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=52967"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=52967"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=52967"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}