Israeli Forces Seize Second Aid Flotilla Carrying South Korean Activists
Quick Look
- Israeli forces intercepted a second humanitarian aid flotilla, the Lina Al Nabulsi, carrying South Korean activist Kim Ah-hyun and Korean American activist Jonathan Victor Lee.
- This follows the seizure of another flotilla on Monday, with both incidents involving activists defying a South Korean government travel ban to Gaza.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Israeli forces have intercepted two humanitarian aid flotillas bound for the Gaza Strip. The first, the Kyriakos X, was seized on Monday, and the second, the Lina Al Nabulsi, was intercepted early Wednesday. Both flotillas carried international activists, including South Koreans who defied a government travel ban.
Israeli forces have seized another humanitarian aid flotilla, carrying two activists from a South Korean civic group, headed for the Gaza Strip, the group said Wednesday.
The Lina Al Nabulsi, carrying South Korean activist Kim Ah-hyun and Korean American activist Jonathan Victor Lee, was confirmed to have been intercepted by the Israeli military in waters near the Gaza Strip at 2:50 a.m. Wednesday (Seoul time), according to the Korean Flotilla for a Free Palestine.
The capture comes after Israeli forces seized the Kyriakos X aid flotilla on Monday, which was carrying South Korean activist Kim Dong-hyeon, among other activists from around the world, according to the group.
An official at the civic group said Israeli forces have opted to detain those on board and sink the boats, rather than towing them as they previously had done.
Kim Dong-hyeon is expected to arrive soon at an Israeli port, the official said, adding that it will likely take longer for the other two.
The Kyriakos X set sail from Greece on May 8, while the Lina Al Nabulsi departed from Italy on May 2.
The Korean nationals were headed for Gaza despite a government travel ban on the territory.
Kim Ah-hyun also had her passport revoked by the Seoul government over her attempt in October to enter the territory without authorization.
At the time, she was detained by Israeli forces and later released.
South Koreans are barred from traveling to or staying in the Gaza Strip without government approval, and violators can face up to one year in prison or a fine of up to 10 million won (US$6,615) under the Passport Act.
"We have repeatedly called on Israel through various channels to ensure the safety of South Korean nationals and secure their release and deportation at the earliest possible time in the event of vessel seizures," a foreign ministry official said.
"The ministry will continue to actively provide necessary consular assistance to our nationals," he added.
Open Questions
- What will be the specific diplomatic repercussions between Israel and South Korea?
- What is the current condition and location of the detained activists?
- Will there be further attempts by civic groups to send aid flotillas to Gaza?
- What is the Israeli government's official justification for sinking the boats?
