Tunis: The captain of a Gaza-bound ship described moments of fear and panic among Israeli soldiers as they attacked an international aid flotilla seeking to challenge Israel's illegal blockade on the Palestinian enclave. Mohamed Ali Mohieddin, the captain of the Amsterdam boat, said Israeli soldiers could not operate the engine after they seized the ship.

According to Anadolu Agency, Mohieddin recounted to Tunisia's IFM Radio how the soldiers appeared confused and were unable to manage the ship's engine. He shared that one soldier, in particular, looked at him with innocence, silently pleading for help in operating the machinery. This incident highlighted the soldiers' lack of preparedness, with Mohieddin noting their fear when an alarm sounded after an Israeli soldier inadvertently triggered the engine.

Mohieddin further illustrated the scene by describing one soldier who was visibly terrified, stating that the soldier had urinated on himself out of fear. The captain expressed his surprise at the perceived cowardice of the Israeli soldiers, referring to them as "cardboard soldiers" and describing the Israeli army as "an illusion" that is hollow inside.

The flotilla, known as the Global Sumud Flotilla, was attacked and seized by Israeli naval forces beginning on Wednesday. Over 470 activists from more than 50 countries were detained. The flotilla aimed to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza and challenge the longstanding blockade imposed by Israel, which has been in place for nearly 18 years.

The blockade has severe implications for Gaza, home to nearly 2.4 million people. The Israeli army's actions have resulted in the deaths of over 67,100 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, since October 2023. The continuous bombardment has made the enclave uninhabitable, leading to widespread starvation and disease.