IDF intercepts Gaza aid ship, assaults US labour activist Chris Smalls
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London: The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Saturday night intercepted an aid ship coming to Gaza and assaulted the American labour activist Chris Smalls who was onboard it, The Guardian reported.
The ship is part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, an international collective working to end Israel’s Gaza blockade since 2010.
IDF soldiers reportedly ‘beat and choked’ Smalls who is known for his activism in co-founding Amazon Labor Union.
The ship Handala, carrying food, baby formula, diapers and medicine, was intercepted while ‘attempting to breach’ Israel’s blockade.
It is reported that Gaza is experiencing ‘worst-case scenario of famine’ as Israel is continuing its blockade of aid.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition stated on Istagram that Chris Smalls was ‘physically assaulted by seven uniformed individuals’ in Israeli custody, adding that ‘They choked him and kicked him in the legs, leaving visible signs of violence on his neck and back’.
Condemning the violence, the statement further said when lawyers met him, Chris was surrounded by six special unit officers.
Smalls was among the 21 members of the group that IDF detained.
Others in the group include parliamentarians, medics and engineers, and two journalists alongside civilians.
The Handala follows the similar attempts by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition to bring aid to Gaza with one involving Greta Thunberg was intercepted in June, arresting Thunberg.
Israeli commandos killed 10 activists aboard the Mavi Marmara heading to Gaza in 2010.
