The Israeli navy has intercepted a Gaza flotilla carrying humanitarian aid and detained activists, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg. According to Israel’s Foreign Ministry, several vessels were stopped and redirected to an Israeli port after warnings to avoid a combat zone. The interception sparked global criticism and protests in several countries.
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The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) called the interception illegal, accusing Israel of using water cannons and ramming a vessel. The group said Israel damaged ship communications to block distress signals. Israel, however, defended its actions, saying the boats violated a lawful naval blockade. Livestreams from the flotilla showed crews being removed peacefully, while officials confirmed the detainees were safe.
Among the intercepted ships were the Alma, Sirius, and Adara. The GSF said the flotilla was 70 nautical miles from Gaza when Israel intervened. International outrage quickly followed. Colombia expelled Israeli diplomats and canceled its trade deal, while Ireland demanded detainees, including a senator, be treated under international law. France and Italy also sought assurances of safety for their citizens aboard.
This marks Israel’s third time blocking a Gaza flotilla in recent months. Activists insist the mission was humanitarian, aimed at delivering food and medicine. Israel argued that aid could fall into Hamas hands, pointing instead to its Gaza Humanitarian Foundation system. The UN refuses to cooperate with that system, calling it unethical. Aid groups continue warning that famine in Gaza is worsening.
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The flotilla incident deepens tensions as Israel intensifies its assault on Gaza City. Hamas faces pressure from Arab and Turkish mediators to accept a new US peace plan, but rejection seems likely. For now, the Gaza flotilla interception has fueled more international criticism, with calls for Israel to respect humanitarian law and allow aid into the besieged territory.