Despite the supposed progress on ceasefire talks, the Zionist occupying forces remain committed to the genocide and is determined to arrest those aboard the flotilla as “terrorists” despite their peaceful mission to bring aid to the devatated region

Israel’s Channel 12 has broadcast what it claims are military plans for the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla.

According to the news report, the flotilla is to be intercepted by members of the specialist naval commando unit Shayetet 13, who will order activists to leave their vessels for Israeli ones. Those who don’t leave their boats and allow themselves to be deported will be arrested.

Empty vessels will then either be confiscated or sunk.

Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel’s far-right National Security Minister, has previously said he intends to treat all activists as “terrorists” and put them through the justice system accordingly.

The reponse from the rogue Zionist state is not unexpected, but comes against a backdrop of growing public confirmation of the genocide and criticism of the murderous tactics of the occupying forces.

The Global Sumud Flotilla heading to Gaza, protected by a Spanish military vessel, poses no threat to anyone, including Israel, Spain’s Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares told Reuters on Thursday.

In an interview, Albares added that Spain had accepted Belgium’s request to assist Belgian citizens on board the flotilla if needed, and was holding conversations with Ireland on the same subject.

Earlier, more than 80 members of the UK Parliament have signed a letter calling on Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper to ensure that “no harm” comes to members of the Global Sumud Flotilla aiming to break the siege on Gaza.

This comes after the UK government had announced it recognition of Palestine as state, but has done nothing more to protect innocent Palestinian civilians being slaughtered by the brutal occupying forces.

The signatories to the letter to the UK government expressed concern for people participating in the action due to the way Israel has dealt with such convoys in the past. They added that the right to nonviolent protest needs to be defended.

“We are concerned that Israel is planning to treat this aid mission with similar hostility, putting the safety of British citizens at risk,” the letter said.

Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn was among the signatories as well as veteran Labour MP Diane Abbott, a group of independent MPs who were elected last year in constituencies dissatisfied with Labour’s message on Gaza and Zara Sultana, who has founded a new party with Corbyn.

The letter added: “To be clear, the participants on the flotilla are journalists, healthcare professionals, aid workers and activists. They are not terrorists, nor do they pose a threat to Israel.”

However, despite the growing condemnation, the Zionists have remained steadfast as they believe no real action will be taken against them by their allies in the West – even despite last weeks flurry of recognition of Palestine by so many Western countries.

Addressing a news conference on Thursday, Israeli military spokesperson, Brigadier-General Effie Defrin told journalists, “We are following this flotilla. We have experience from the past, but this one is different, with dozens of vessels,” Defrin said referring to the size of the current flotilla, the largest to attempt to reach Gaza so far.

Defrin said the navy is “ready to defend Israel’s borders at sea. We are prepared and the navy is prepared”.

“This flotilla, we know to say, is planned and funded by Hamas, by Hamas representatives in Europe. We have clear evidence of this,” Defrin said, without producing anything to support his claim.

Israeli Foreign Ministry official Eden Bar Tal said that “Israel will not allow any vessel to enter the active combat zone.”

“The real purpose of this flotilla is provocation and serving Hamas, certainly not a humanitarian effort,” Bar Tal said.

He added that “any further refusal” from the flotilla activists “will put the responsibility on the flotilla organisers”.

The Israeli military has not responded to questions about Wednesday’s drone attack on the flotilla.