Israeli forces intercept Gaza flotilla; activists taken to Israeli port

Organisers say 39 of more than 40 boats are intercepted; one still sails toward Gaza. However, the Sumud Flotilla Tracker website shows that almost all of the fleet’s vessels have been intercepted.

A flotilla of civilian boats carrying food and medicine to Gaza is intercepted by Israeli naval forces roughly 70 nautical miles off the coast, with passengers transferred to an Israeli port and many governments seeking consular access to their nationals. Organisers say Israel has stopped 39 vessels and jammed communications as videos on social media show armed boarding operations and passengers with hands raised on deck. 

However, the Global Sumud Flotilla real tracker website shows that almost all the flotilla’s vessels have been intercepted.

Flotilla organisers say that only one vessel remains sailing toward Gaza. They report communications jamming and the cutting of live feeds as boarding begins overnight. Images from livestreams show Israeli personnel on decks and passengers seated in life vests. “Multiple vessels … were illegally intercepted and boarded by Israeli Occupation Forces in international waters,” the organisers say, adding they are accounting for participants and crew. Reuters says it cannot independently verify some claims. 

Israel’s foreign ministry says: “Several vessels of the Hamas-Sumud flotilla have been safely stopped and their passengers are being transferred to an Israeli port,” adding “Greta and her friends are safe and healthy.” The ministry earlier warns the flotilla it is approaching “a blockaded zone” and offers to transfer aid through “established channels.” 

Greece’s foreign minister George Gerapetritis says, at least 39 boats are now sailing to Ashdod and that “all people on board are safe,” indicating the bulk of the flotilla is in Israeli custody.

The Global Sumud Flotilla says it consists of more than 40 civilian boats carrying about 500 people — parliamentarians, lawyers and activists — attempting to deliver food and medicine to Gaza. Footage verified by Reuters shows Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg seated on a deck surrounded by soldiers. The exact vessel could not be confirmed.

Israel says it allows sufficient aid into Gaza and urges the flotilla to hand over supplies for delivery via “established channels.” COGAT has said around 300 aid trucks a day have entered in recent weeks, mostly with food, though the U.N. World Food Programme cites bottlenecks moving aid north along a single access road. A global hunger monitor recently declared Gaza City and surrounding areas in famine; Israel’s prime minister called the report “an outright lie.”

International reactions

• Italy: Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni says Italy will seek to bring its nationals back “as soon as possible,” adding the flotilla “will bring no benefit to the Palestinian people.” Italian unions call a general strike in solidarity; protests erupt at stations in Rome and Naples. 

• United Kingdom: London says it is “very concerned” and urges that any aid “should be turned over to humanitarian organisations on the ground.” 

• Malaysia: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim condemns the interceptions and says 23 Malaysians are detained. Demonstrators march in Kuala Lumpur. 

• Australia: Canberra says it is aware of “detainments” and stands ready to provide consular assistance, calling for humane treatment and respect for international law. 

• Pakistan: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemns the action on X. 

• Colombia: President Gustavo Petro says he is expelling Israel’s diplomatic delegation and revoking a free-trade agreement if reports of detained Colombians are confirmed. Israel denies accusations of war crimes; Reuters notes the United States recently revoked Petro’s visa. 

Legal backdrop and location

Under the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea, territorial waters extend to 12 nautical miles and exclusive economic zones to 200 nautical miles; beyond that lie the high seas. The flotilla approaches within about 70 nautical miles of Gaza when Israel begins interceptions. Israel has maintained a naval blockade since 2007 and says the flotilla violates a lawful blockade. Organisers say they are in international waters and accuse Israel of unlawful interference. Reuters says it cannot verify all accounts from the flotilla.

The flotilla’s channels allege ramming of the vessel Florida and the use of water cannons; they also claim Israel attempts to sink the Maria Cristina. They report all passengers unharmed in one incident. Reuters says it cannot independently confirm these claims and notes the Israeli military did not immediately comment.