The organizers of the Gaza flotilla intercepted by Israeli forces on Monday said Tuesday that at least five of its boats «sustained shots» fired by the intervening soldiers.
In two videos datemarked Tuesday of what appears to be the same incident, posted on the Global Sumud Flotilla’s (GSF) Telegram channel, activists on a vessel called the Girolama can be heard shouting «don’t shoot» as metallic pings are heard.
A video posted by the group on X includes the caption: «With hands in the air, participants implored ‘do not shoot’. This is an attack on humanity. This is what apartheid looks like: when those trying to save lives are met with bullets.»
«Shots fired very clearly at Girolama boat,» wrote the GSF with two other videos posted on their Telegram page. The group said four other boats, named as the Munki, Elengi, Alcione and Zefiro, were also fired at.
Neither the Israeli military nor the foreign ministry immediately responded to CBS News’ request for comment on the GSF’s claims, and it was not clear from the video if live ammunition was used by the Israeli forces.
One video posted by the group shows an Israeli soldier appearing to fire a weapon, but it is not clear what type of rounds were used.
Of the original 70 vessels that left Turkey as part of the flotilla, only five were still navigating toward the Palestinian enclave on Tuesday, according to a tracker on the GSF website, having seemingly avoided Israeli interception.
Gaza has been under an Israeli naval blockade since 2007.
Israeli forces have stopped several previous GSF flotillas from reaching Gaza’s coast, arresting and deporting more than 470 people, including Swedish activist Greta Thunberg.
GSF said Tuesday that as far as it knows, «no-one has been seriously hurt.»
