§  Israeli navy intercepts 39 Gaza aid boats

§  Detains Greta Thunberg and 500 activists

§  Sparking global protest and diplomatic crisis

§  Get latest news and analysis on Gaza blockade and humanitarian aid mission

Israeli naval forces have intercepted 39 boats carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza, detaining over 500 international activists including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg in a dramatic Mediterranean Sea operation that has triggered global diplomatic crisis and mass protests worldwide. The Global Sumud Flotilla interception occurred approximately 70 nautical miles from Gaza’s coast in international waters, sparking immediate condemnation from

·       Turkey

·       Colombia

·       Multiple European Nations

The largest civilian maritime mission to challenge Israel’s 18-year Gaza blockade consisted of over 40 vessels and 500 parliamentarians, lawyers and activists from 44 countries, carrying symbolic amounts of food, medicine and water for Gaza's besieged population. Despite the massive interception operation, 30 boats continue sailing toward Gaza as of Thursday morning with organizers vowing the mission will “continue undeterred”.

Dramatic High-Sea Confrontation Captured on Live Video

Verified footage released by Reuters shows Greta Thunberg surrounded by armed Israeli soldiers on the deck of the intercepted vessel, receiving water and a jacket from military personnel. The Israeli Foreign Ministry confirmed the detention, stating “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”.

Flotilla organizers denounced the operation as a “war crime” and “illegal attack on unarmed humanitarians in international waters”. Activists reported aggressive Israeli tactics including water cannons and deliberate ramming of vessels. The Florida vessel was deliberately rammed at sea, while others including Yulara and Meteque were targeted with water cannons.

American veteran Greg Stoker aboard the Ohwayla described encountering around a dozen Israeli naval vessels with transponders turned off, stating “They are calling us, telling us to shut down our engines and await further orders or our vessels will be seized”.

Global Diplomatic Fallout and Mass Protests Erupt

Turkey’s Foreign Ministry condemned Israel’s interception as “an act of terrorism” and demanded accountability for what it called “a severe violation of international law”. Colombian President Gustavo Petro ordered the expulsion of Israel’s entire diplomatic delegation and terminated Colombia’s free trade agreement with Israel following the detention of two Colombian nationals.

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim condemned the action after 23 Malaysian citizens were detained, while the Istanbul chief prosecutor’s office launched an investigation into charges including deprivation of liberty and seizure of transport vehicles involving 24 Turkish nationals.

Mass protests erupted simultaneously in major cities including

·       London

·       Athens

·       Brussels

·       Berlin

·       Rome

·       Buenos Aires

·       Multiple Italian cities

Italian unions called a general strike for Friday in solidarity with the flotilla and Gaza, while demonstrations spread across Greece, Ireland, and Turkey.

Israel Defends Operation as “Provocation Prevention”

Israeli officials dismissed the mission as a “PR stunt” with UN Ambassador Danny Danon stating “We will not allow any PR stunt approaching an active war zone to violate our sovereignty”. Israeli Ambassador to Italy Jonathan Peled declared the objective was “not humanitarian but provocative” and criticized the flotilla’s “systematic refusal to hand over aid through proper channels”.

Israel offered to transfer any aid peacefully through established security channels to Gaza, reiterating that the flotilla was “violating a lawful naval blockade” around Gaza waters. The Israeli navy had repeatedly warned vessels to change course as they approached what Israel designated an “active combat zone”.

Defense Minister Israel Katz announced plans to show detained activists videos of October 7 attacks, claiming it was necessary for “Greta and her fellow Hamas supporters to see exactly who the Hamas terrorist organization is”.

Historic Maritime Mission Faces Unprecedented Challenges

This represents the largest flotilla attempt since the 2010 Mavi Marmara incident where nine activists were killed when Israeli soldiers boarded six ships carrying 700 pro-Palestinian activists. Greta Thunberg was previously detained in June 2025 during a smaller Gaza-bound mission organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition.

The Global Sumud Flotilla began its journey from Barcelona on August 31, traveling across the Mediterranean and gathering additional vessels from Spain, Italy and Tunisia. Notable passengers included Nelson Mandela’s grandson Mandla Mandela, former Barcelona Mayor Ada Colau and multiple European parliamentarians.

Prior to interception, the flotilla faced drone attacks that dropped stun grenades and itching powder on vessels, causing damage but no injuries. Organizers also reported deliberate communication jamming to block distress signals and stop livestreams of the operation.

International Law Questions and UN Response

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk urged Israel to “immediately lift the blockade on Gaza” and permit essential supplies through all possible means. The interception in international waters raises serious questions about maritime law and the legality of Israel’s expanded enforcement zone.

Greece confirmed 39 boats were sailing to Israeli port Ashdod with all passengers safe and no violence reported. Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani told public broadcaster Rai that activists would be deported in coming days and Israeli forces were instructed “not to use violence”.

Spain, Italy and Turkey deployed naval assets to monitor developments and assist their nationals if needed. The European Union has yet to issue an official response to the detention of multiple European parliamentarians and citizens.

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Gaza Humanitarian Crisis Context

The flotilla’s mission highlights Gaza’s desperate humanitarian situation after nearly two years of war following Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack that killed 1,200 Israelis and took 251 hostages. Palestinian health authorities report over 65,000 deaths in Israel’s subsequent military campaign.

UN-backed food security experts have warned of famine conditions in parts of Gaza with the crisis described as “man-made” due to restrictions on aid delivery. Israel maintains Hamas exploits humanitarian cover to smuggle weapons, while activists argue aid delivery through Israeli channels is inadequate and politicized.

Mission Continues Despite Massive Interceptions

Despite the large-scale interception operation, flotilla organizers remain defiant with 30 boats still sailing toward Gaza as of Thursday morning, positioned 46 nautical miles from their destination. One vessel, Mikeno, reportedly entered territorial waters before interception, while another reached just 27 nautical miles from Gaza.

Communications remain disrupted with 19 boats offline and their status unknown, according to organizers who continue live-updating their mission on social media platforms. The flotilla had hoped to reach Gaza by Thursday morning to symbolically break the 18-year Israeli blockade.

Israel announced detained activists will be deported after Yom Kippur with passengers making their way to Israeli ports for processing. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir reportedly plans to convert seized ships into a police fleet.

The historic confrontation has transformed from a humanitarian mission into a global diplomatic crisis, with the detention of prominent international figures like Greta Thunberg amplifying worldwide attention to Gaza’s ongoing blockade and humanitarian catastrophe. As protests continue across multiple continents and diplomatic tensions escalate, the Global Sumud Flotilla has achieved its symbolic goal of forcing international focus on Gaza’s plight, even as its physical mission faces unprecedented Israeli resistance.

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