The Israeli navy intercepted at least 19 vessels from a pro-Palestinian flotilla on Wednesday as it sailed toward Gaza, officials and activists confirmed, news agency AP reported. Among those on board was Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, who, according to Israeli authorities, was safe and being transferred to an Israeli port. The Global Sumud Flotilla, composed of nearly 50 boats and around 500 activists, is carrying a symbolic amount of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Organisers said the Sirius, Alma and Adara boats were stopped some 70 nautical miles (80 miles) from Gaza’s coast. The flotilla includes prominent figures such as Nelson Mandela’s grandson Mandla Mandela, former Barcelona Mayor Ada Colau, and several European lawmakers. Despite the interceptions, organisers said the remaining vessels were continuing their mission.Also read: IDF releases video of Greta Thunberg; footage shows vessel sprayed with water cannonsThe flotilla, which departed from Barcelona last month, is the largest attempt yet to challenge Israel’s maritime blockade, in place for 18 years. Activists streamed their journey online, broadcasting messages of solidarity with Palestinians and chants of “Free Palestine!” while facing naval warnings and the use of water cannons.
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Here’s what happened:
‘Communications and live feed scrambled during interception’
Live cameras, verified by Reuters, showed Israeli soldiers with helmets and night vision goggles boarding ships about 70 nautical miles off Gaza. Passengers wore life vests, hands raised. Israel policed the area to block boat approaches. Organizers reported their communications and live feeds had been scrambled during the interception.American veteran Greg Stoker, aboard the Ohwayla, described encountering around a dozen Israeli naval vessels with transponders turned off. “They are currently hailing our vessels, telling us to turn off our engines and await further instructions or our boats will be seized and we will face the consequences,” he said in a shaky video posted on Instagram. Israeli authorities reportedly used water cannons against some boats, though no injuries were reported.The Israeli foreign ministry shared footage of Thunberg receiving a water bottle and raincoat while seated on the ship’s deck, stating: “Greta and her friends are safe and healthy.” Italy’s foreign minister Antonio Tajani confirmed that the operation would take 2–3 hours, with the detained activists being deported after their vessels are towed to Ashdod port.
International outcry
Turkey denounced the interception as an “act of terrorism” and a severe breach of international law, promising initiatives to secure the release of its citizens and other detainees. Colombian President Gustavo Petro threatened to expel Israel’s diplomatic delegation and terminate his country’s free trade agreement with Israel over the flotilla, calling Israel’s blockade a “genocide.”European governments, including Spain and Italy, had earlier advised the flotilla to turn back to avoid confrontation, with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni warning the voyage could jeopardise US President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez defended the activists, saying: “They present no threat nor danger to Israel,” and emphasising the humanitarian nature of the mission.
Israel defends military blockade
Under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, states generally only exercise jurisdiction up to 12 nautical miles from their shores. International law permits interception in armed conflict or to enforce a blockade, but activists maintain they are unarmed civilians carrying humanitarian aid.Israeli law experts argue the blockade is “militarily justified” to prevent weapons smuggling, allowing interception after prior warning. Activists, however, insist international law guarantees the passage of humanitarian aid. Omer Shatz, co-litigant in a previous flotilla case, noted: “If the basic needs of the population are not provided by the occupying power, there is a right to provide humanitarian aid, albeit under certain conditions.”
The Flotilla’s mission continues
Despite the naval interceptions, flotilla spokesperson Saif Abukeshek said the mission was ongoing. “They are determined. They are motivated, and they are doing everything within their hands to be able to break the siege by this early morning,” he said of the remaining vessels. As of early Thursday, organisers reported 30 boats still sailing strong, 46 nautical miles from Gaza.The flotilla has faced prior Israeli attempts to block their mission in June and July, as well as drone attacks during a stopover in Tunisia. Participants have livestreamed encounters with Israeli vessels, sometimes tossing smartphones into the water before being boarded, while carrying banners calling for freedom for Gaza.
What is the Global Sumud Flotilla?
According to its website, the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) is the largest civilian maritime mission organised to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza. Coordinated by grassroots activists, seafarers, doctors, and artists from over 40 countries, it aims to open a humanitarian corridor by sea
