Swedish environmental advocate Greta Thunberg, along with numerous passengers aboard a convoy of aid vessels destined for Gaza, has been detained by Israeli forces and is now facing deportation. This follows the interception of over a dozen ships belonging to the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), an initiative aimed at breaching Israel’s 18-year blockade of Gaza to deliver essential supplies such as food, water, and medical aid to the conflict-stricken region. By Thursday morning, 21 ships had been intercepted, according to the flotilla’s tracking data.
The flotilla’s organizers condemned Israel’s actions as an unlawful assault on humanitarian efforts, while Israeli officials accused the activists of seeking confrontation rather than providing genuine assistance. The initial interception occurred late Wednesday, approximately 70 nautical miles from Gaza, where Israeli forces boarded the vessels. The GSF reported aggressive tactics by the Israeli military, including one ship being intentionally rammed and others subjected to water cannon attacks.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry confirmed the safe capture of several ships and stated that the detained individuals were being transported to Israel for deportation processing. A video shared on the ministry’s X account showed Thunberg seated on the floor, surrounded by military personnel, reassuring the public of her well-being. In response, the GSF has urged governments and international bodies to ensure the immediate protection and release of the unarmed humanitarian activists.
The flotilla consists of over 500 individuals from numerous countries, having departed from Barcelona, Spain, on August 31 and joined by additional vessels from various Mediterranean ports. Among the participants are elected officials from Spain and Italy, alongside Thunberg, who was previously detained and expelled from Israel in June after a similar Gaza-bound aid mission was intercepted.
This humanitarian mission unfolds amid a worsening crisis in Gaza, where escalating casualties and severe shortages of food and medical supplies have been reported. A United Nations-backed report released in August described parts of Gaza as suffering from a man-made famine, a consequence of Israel’s blockade restricting vital aid. Dr. James Smith, a British physician aboard the flotilla, characterized the mission as more than just humanitarian relief, describing it as “a form of direct action and anti-colonial resistance.”
Hours before the interception, Israel’s Foreign Ministry issued a warning via X, stating that its navy had contacted the flotilla to inform them they were entering an active combat zone and violating a legitimate naval blockade. The ministry accused the flotilla of intending solely to provoke. Although Israel offered alternative routes for delivering aid, the GSF insisted on delivering supplies directly to Gaza’s civilian population, refusing to divert assistance through other channels.
Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon declared that those attempting unauthorized entry into Israeli territory would be deported immediately following the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur. He emphasized, “We will not permit any publicity stunt to breach our sovereignty in an active war zone.”
The interception has drawn rapid international criticism, with pro-Palestinian demonstrations erupting in countries including Italy, Turkey, Greece, Tunisia, and Argentina. Turkey’s Foreign Ministry condemned the interception as an act of terrorism, while Hamas denounced it as a treacherous assault and piracy. Colombian President Gustavo Petro labeled the interception an international crime, announcing the expulsion of Israeli diplomats and the denunciation of the free trade agreement with Israel.
BREAKING: Israeli forces have detained Greta Thunberg and numerous Global Sumud Flotilla members, including journalists. Additional vessels are being boarded as the flotilla carrying baby formula for Gaza’s starving children faces attacks. #GlobalSumudFlotilla pic.twitter.com/rz7f0CoD8k Radio Islam (@radioislam) October 1, 2025
This incident follows closely on the heels of US President Donald Trump’s recent peace proposal unveiled alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington, aimed at resolving the Gaza conflict. The current events also recall the tragic 2010 Gaza aid flotilla raid, where Israeli forces attacked ships in international waters, resulting in the deaths of ten Turkish nationals.
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