A Luxembourg activist is among those caught up in a naval operation after Israeli forces stopped a fleet of aid ships bound for Gaza, prompting protests at home and calls for government action.
On Thursday, the Israeli navy stopped in the Mediterranean a private fleet of ships carrying aid supplies to the Gaza Strip. Among those affected was Mia Mia, the boat on which Fellens Huberty was travelling. After more than three hours without contact with the boat, and following a report from another vessel, Fellens Huberty is now presumed kidnapped.
In a prerecorded video shared by the organisation March to Gaza Luxembourg, Fellens Huberty says that she had been "kidnapped" and taken away against her will by Israeli occupation forces.
Around 40 pro-Palestinian motor and sailing boats had joined together under the name Global Sumud Flotilla to deliver aid supplies to the enclave. According to a joint statement by Global Movement to Gaza and Global Sumud Flotilla, the flotilla was stopped by Israeli authorities during the night to Thursday, leading to what they describe as "illegal arrests". Some of the boats were allegedly towed away by Israel, while others remain on their way to Gaza.
According to the Foreign Ministry, the boats with their passengers were escorted into an Israeli harbour between Wednesday evening and Thursday morning. The activists describe this as "kidnapping". In a statement, the Foreign Ministry confirmed this account and expressed that it is "deeply concerned" about the reports. The authorities called on those responsible in Israel to guarantee the safety of the people involved and to refrain from any form of violence against them. Luxembourg will remain in close contact with its partners in this context, including Belgium, Italy, and Spain.
Among the ships was also that of Swedish activist Greta Thunberg. A video published on X shows Thunberg along with several masked and armed Israeli soldiers.
People have been called upon to gather between 12.30pm and 6.30pm in front of the Foreign Ministry, urging the government to intervene ant to ensure international law is respected. Demands include the release of all members of the Global Sumud Flotilla, including those on board the Mia Mia.
When contacted, Patrick Bosch from March to Gaza Luxembourg said shortly after 11am that there was still no contact with the Luxembourgish woman. He explained that they are working with around 20–30 lawyers in the region who are now trying to establish contact with those who were kidnapped. They are also in close contact with the Luxembourg Foreign Ministry.
