Israeli Forces Intercept Humanitarian Flotilla Bound for Gaza; 30 Boats Continue Sailing

Tel Aviv / Gaza / International Desk — Israeli forces intercepted 13 boats carrying foreign activists and humanitarian aid bound for Gaza, while 30 vessels remain en route to the war-ravaged enclave, flotilla organisers said on Thursday.

A video released by the Israeli foreign ministry and verified by Reuters showed Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, one of the flotilla’s most prominent passengers, surrounded by Israeli soldiers on a boat deck.
“Several vessels of the Hamas-Sumud flotilla have been safely stopped and their passengers are being transferred to an Israeli port. Greta and her friends are safe and healthy,” the ministry said in a post on X.

The Global Sumud Flotilla, consisting of more than 40 civilian boats with around 500 parliamentarians, lawyers, and activists, was carrying medical supplies and food for Gaza. Organisers described the mission as a non-violent humanitarian effort, releasing videos on Telegram in which participants displayed passports and claimed they were taken to Israel against their will.

The flotilla, the most high-profile attempt in years to challenge Israel’s blockade of Gaza, attracted international attention. Turkey, Spain, and Italy deployed boats and drones to monitor the convoy in case assistance for their nationals was required. Israel had repeatedly warned the ships to turn back.

International Reactions

The interception sparked swift condemnation. Turkey’s foreign ministry labelled the action “an act of terror”, accusing Israel of endangering civilians. In Bogotá, Colombian President Gustavo Petro expelled Israel’s diplomatic delegation after two Colombians were detained, calling the incident a “new international crime” by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He also announced the termination of Colombia’s free trade agreement with Israel.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim condemned the operation, confirming that eight Malaysians had been detained. “By blocking a humanitarian mission, Israel has shown utter contempt not only for the rights of the Palestinian people but also for the conscience of the world,” he said.

In Europe, protests erupted in Italy and Colombia, with Italian trade unions calling for a general strike on Friday in solidarity with the flotilla.

Flotilla’s Defiance

Organisers described Israel’s raid as a “war crime”, alleging that naval forces used water cannons and electronic scrambling of communications but confirmed that no passengers were physically harmed.
“Multiple vessels were illegally intercepted and boarded by Israeli Occupation Forces in international waters,” they said in a statement.

According to ship-tracking data, 13 boats were stopped by early Thursday. However, organisers insisted the mission “will continue undeterred,” stating that 30 boats were still 46 nautical miles from Gaza and expected to arrive later in the day if not intercepted.

Israeli Position

Israeli officials dismissed the flotilla as a provocation rather than a humanitarian mission. “This systematic refusal to hand over the aid demonstrates that the objective is not humanitarian, but provocative,” Israel’s ambassador to Italy, Jonathan Peled, said on X.

Israel has enforced a naval blockade on Gaza since Hamas took control of the territory in 2007. Activists have mounted several previous attempts to break the blockade. In 2010, Israeli commandos stormed a flotilla of six ships, leaving nine activists dead. More recently, in June 2024, Greta Thunberg and 11 others were detained while approaching Gaza aboard a smaller vessel organised by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition.

The interception comes amid Israel’s ongoing military offensive in Gaza, launched after the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack that killed about 1,200 Israelis and saw 251 hostages taken. According to Gaza health authorities, more than 65,000 Palestinians have been killed in the nearly two-year conflict.