Israeli naval forces intercepted solidarity ship “Estelle” which sailed from Italy to break Israeli siege imposed on the Gaza Strip.
About 30 solidarity activists were on the board when the Israeli forces intercepted it.
The continuing siege imposed on the Gaza Strip approaches its sixth year.
This comes amid the silence of the international community.
The 'Estelle' initiative comes in the context of increased popular efforts by peace, human rights and solidarity activists.
It is a reaction to the failure of the international community to fulfill its obligations.
  According to information available to the Al Mezan Center for Human Rights, Estelle is a Sweden ship organized by a number of activists from “Freedom Flotilla”.
The ship is carrying humanitarian and medical aids.
On Saturday 6 October 2012, Estelle left Naples on with some 30 people of eight different nationalities aboard.
Five European MPs; two from Greek, and the rest are from Spain, Norway, Swedeare on board.
According to Al Mezan’s information, at approximately 10:00 am on Saturday 20 October 2012, Israeli naval forces attacked Estelle as it was 30 nautical miles away from the Gaza waters.
According to Israeli media reports, masked Israeli soldiersboarded the Estelle and rerouted it to Israel's southern Mediterranean port of Ashdod.
The soldiers used electric devices to control the activists, detained, and interrogated them.
Al Mezan praises the popular international efforts to end the Israeli siege imposed on the Gaza Strip.
Al Mezan asserts that the humanitarian aid carried by the “Estelle” is as important for its symbolism as it is for its humanitarian impact.
Al Mezan Center for Human Rights strongly condemns the interception of the Estelle and the Israeli severity in dealing the peace activists.
Al Mezan asserts that “Estelle” and its activists have brought the siege issue to the international public opinion again.
Al Mezan holds Israel responsible for the lives of peace activists.
Al Mezan calls on the international community to promptly intervene to end the Israeli siege imposed on the Gaza Strip and the deteriorated human rights situations.
Al Mezan emphasizes the illegitimacy of the Israeli siege and collective punishment imposed on the Gaza Strip,which continues to cause grave violations of human rights that amount to crimes against humanity.
Therefore, breaking and ending the siege is a legal obligation under international humanitarian law, particularly the Fourth Geneva Convention on the Protection of Civilian.
End