by Tin Thein
Israeli Defence Forces detained Rohingya activist Tin Maung along with 427 other activists, medics, and journalists after intercepting a flotilla attempting to break the naval blockade of Gaza, according to organizers and international media reports.
Tin Maung, also known as Rayees, was among 428 detainees from 44 countries travelling aboard a fleet of 54 vessels carrying food and medicine for Palestinians affected by the blockade on Gaza.
According to reports, the flotilla departed from the coast of Türkiye last week in an effort to challenge Israel’s long-running naval blockade of the Gaza Strip.
The interception reportedly took place around 250 nautical miles off the coast of Gaza in international waters on Monday after Israeli forces boarded the vessels in daylight.
Organizers alleged that Israeli forces used electronic jamming equipment before boarding the flotilla. However, some activists, including Tin Maung, reportedly managed to send messages before communications were cut.
Several countries, including Bangladesh, Türkiye, Spain, Jordan, Pakistan, Brazil, Indonesia, Colombia, Libya, and the Maldives, condemned the interceptions and described them as violations of international law and international humanitarian law.
Before his detention, Tin Maung reportedly recorded messages discussing what he described as “parallel and ongoing genocides” in Myanmar and Gaza. He said the messages were intended to raise awareness among Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh and Rohingya communities affected by violence inside Myanmar.
In another recorded statement, Tin Maung said his own suffering was insignificant compared to conditions in Gaza. He urged Rohingya communities to recognize what he described as shared experiences of persecution with Palestinians and called for solidarity with Gaza.
In his final recorded message before losing communication, Tin Maung condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza and said the world could not remain silent while Palestinians were being killed and starved.
He also urged supporters not to focus only on him, but on what he described as “9,600 other hostages” allegedly being held in Israeli prisons without trial, including minors.
Tin Maung, a Canadian citizen of Rohingya origin, also criticized Canada’s position on weapons shipments to Israel through the United States, calling it unacceptable.
On Wednesday, the Global Sumud Flotilla said on X that at least 87 detainees from the flotilla had begun a hunger strike “in protest of their illegal abduction and in solidarity with the over 9,500 Palestinian hostages held in Israeli prisons.”
Several countries, including Italy, France, the Netherlands, and Canada, reportedly summoned Israeli ambassadors to express concern over the treatment of the detained activists.
International criticism increased after videos circulated online appearing to show detained activists kneeling with their hands tied. Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir was also seen in footage appearing to taunt detainees.
Meanwhile, many Rohingya youths expressed solidarity with Tin Maung and the detained activists while calling for their release and voicing support for Palestinians in Gaza.
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