Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has condemned Israel for allegedly 'kidnapping' three journalists aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla, which was intercepted in international waters while heading to Gaza.

In a social media post, RSF stated it 'condemns the kidnapping in international waters by the Israeli army' of French correspondent Hafed Mribah, Turkish cameraman Mahmut Yavuz (both with Al Jazeera), and journalist Alex Colston of US outlet Zeteo. 'Israel is responsible for their safety,' RSF said.

Al Jazeera expressed deep concern for its journalists' safety, holding Israeli authorities fully responsible and calling on the international community to take a unified stance against 'Israel's repeated violations of international law.'

Organizers reported that Israel intercepted 22 of 58 vessels late Wednesday off Greece's Peloponnese Peninsula, detaining 211 people. Israel said it would transfer detainees to Greece.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez accused Israel of 'once again violating international law by attacking a civilian flotilla in waters that do not belong to it,' urging the EU to freeze bilateral ties.

Previous flotilla detainees alleged physical and mental abuse, including beatings and sleep deprivation. Israel dismissed those claims as 'fake news.'

A February report by the Committee to Protect Journalists, based on testimonies from 59 Palestinian journalists, alleged systemic abuse including torture, sexual violence, and medical neglect by Israeli authorities.

Source: www.aljazeera.com