The Israeli Defense Forces have intercepted multiple vessels from a humanitarian aid convoy en route to the Gaza Strip, detaining numerous activists aboard these ships.
According to the organizers, at least three ships from the Global Sumud Flotilla-a fleet comprising 44 boats and around 500 activists-were stopped roughly 70 nautical miles (130 kilometers) off Gaza’s coastline.
Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on X that several flotilla-activists-drone-attacks-fear-hope/” title=”Braving Drone Strikes: Activists Face Fear and Fuel Hope on Gaza … | Israel-Palestine Conflict News”>flotilla vessels were “safely intercepted” and that passengers were being transferred to an Israeli port. The ministry also assured the public that Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, who was aboard the lead ship Alma, along with her companions, remained unharmed, sharing footage of Thunberg to support this claim.
The activist group reported that Israeli naval forces have so far intercepted six ships, including the Deir Yassin/Mali, Huga, Spectre, Adara, Alma, and Sirius. They described some of the encounters as involving “active aggression,” citing incidents such as the deliberate ramming of the Florida vessel and the use of water cannons against ships like Yulara and Meteque.
Despite these confrontations, all individuals on board were reportedly safe. Prior to interception, the flotilla had managed to sail beyond the location where the Madleen Flotilla was stopped earlier this year.
Activists also reported that Israeli forces disrupted their communications by disabling electronic devices, which affected their cameras, live streams, and other systems used to broadcast their mission globally.
The Global Sumud Flotilla condemned the Israeli actions as unlawful, stating that the vessels were “illegally intercepted.” They accused Israel of committing genocide and maintaining an unlawful blockade on Gaza, using starvation as a weapon. The group called on international supporters to pressure their governments to sever ties with Israel.
Leila Hegazy, a U.S. citizen and activist aboard one of the ships, shared a prerecorded message on social media declaring that she had been “kidnapped by Israeli occupation forces and taken to Israel against [her] will.” She urged the U.S. government to end its complicity in what she described as the genocide of Palestinians in Gaza and to ensure the safe return of all humanitarian workers involved.
Hassan Jabareen, head of the legal organization Adalah, which has previously represented flotilla activists, told Al Jazeera that the current situation is uncertain. He explained that under Israeli law, detainees may be deported within 72 hours or brought before a court within 96 hours. While arrests are possible, Israel typically opts for immediate release to avoid prolonged media attention.
Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, stated that the activists would be deported after the conclusion of the Jewish holiday Yom Kippur on Thursday.
Turkey’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned the interception, labeling it an “act of terrorism” and a serious violation of international law. The ministry announced efforts to secure the prompt release of Turkish nationals and other detainees.
Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani indicated that the Israeli operation was expected to last two to three hours. Speaking to state broadcaster Rai, he said the vessels would be towed to the Israeli port of Ashdod and that the activists would be deported shortly thereafter. He also noted that Israeli forces had been instructed to avoid using violence.
Following reports of the interceptions, demonstrations erupted in major cities worldwide, including Athens, Rome, Berlin, Brussels, Tunis, and Ankara. In Italy, the country’s largest labor union announced a general strike scheduled for Friday to protest the treatment of the Sumud Flotilla activists.
