3 Egyptian activists disappear en route to join humanitarian flotilla

Three Egyptian activists who were en route to join the Egyptian section of the humanitarian Global Sumud Flotilla sailing to Gaza have disappeared without trace, according to organisers.

The last reported sighting of the activists was in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Organiser Ziad Bassioni said that their families reported that they failed to return home and have not been heard from since. Organisers believe the disappearances are linked to their planned participation in the flotilla.

Flotilla disappearance

In a statement, the flotilla group denounced the presumed detention as “unjustifiable” and condemned Egypt’s repeated refusal to grant official permission to take part.

Organisers have also lost contact with the owner of one of the five vessels designated for the flotilla, with local media claiming he withdrew after “threats and security pressure”.

On Wednesday night, Israel launched a mass attack, involving at least twelve military vessels, on the flotilla – mining the waters around the volunteer fleet and detaining crews. Workers in Italy have called a new general strike in response to the country’s navy – two warships supposedly sent to protect the fleet – abandoning the humanitarian boats and their crews.

Featured image via YouTube screenshot/Associated Press