PORT ASHDOD: Israeli forces seized the pro-Palestinian activist boat Handala in the international waters off Gaza and detained the crew and campaigners from 10 countries, including two French parliamentarians, before bringing the vessel into the port of Ashdod on Sunday.

Israel has long restricted aid to Gaza on the argument that Hamas steals it to use as a weapon of control over the population. On Saturday, the Israeli military announced new airdrops of aid.

Twenty-one months into Israel’s war in Gaza, the enclave is gripped by escalating scenes of death and hunger, with some killed while trying to reach aid, others dying of starvation and growing condemnation of Israel’s conduct even among many of its closest allies.

Israeli forces boarded an activist boat trying to reach Gaza with aid on Saturday night. Livestreamed video showed troops boarding the Handala around midnight local time (2140gmt).

Those killed in the strikes include four people in an apartment building in Gaza City among others, hospital staff and the ambulance service said.

While one of the terrorists was arrested the same day, the second suspect, Arkan Khaled, 27, from Taibe, was still being searched for.