Israel Plans Violent Crackdown on Gaza Flotilla Activists

Occupied Palestine (Quds News Network)-Israel’s Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, has prepared a new violent plan to attack the largest Gaza solidarity flotilla ever organized.

According to Israel Hayom, the occupation state is preparing to deal with more than 200 activists from 44 countries, whose mission is to break Israel’s 17-year siege on Gaza.

Ben-Gvir will present his plan to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and security officials today. According to Israel Hayom, the minister wants to move beyond arrests and deportations. He is pushing for a “deterrent plan” aimed at punishing the peaceful activists.

The proposals include imprisoning participants under the same harsh conditions as Palestinians accused of ‘terrorism’. Men would be sent to Ketziot prison and women to Damon prison. Conditions would exclude television, radio, or decent food. Detention would last longer than previous flotilla arrests.

Israel intends to justify these measures by labeling the activists as violators of a “closed military area.” Officials also plan to build files against them, accusing them of ties to ‘terrorism’ based on past photos and associations.

Another step would see Israel confiscate the flotilla ships and convert them into a police fleet. Legal advice supporting the nationalization of foreign vessels has already been presented.

Ben-Gvir argues that previous “soft treatment” of flotilla participants failed to stop them.

This strategy raises fears of violent action at sea. Israel Hayom claimed that activists “may challenge Israel not only politically but also militarily.” This narrative is usually used by Israel as a pretext for Israel to attack peaceful ships.

Past flotillas faced arrests and confiscation of supplies.