The Israeli Navy took hundreds of international activists into custody on Thursday after intercepting a flotilla of small boats attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.
This high-profile mission, which included dozens of vessels and activists like Greta Thunberg, aimed to challenge an Israeli blockade on Gaza that has been in place for nearly two decades. Israel has significantly restricted the entry of humanitarian aid since the war in Gaza began two years ago, even preventing food deliveries for several months earlier this year.
The detention of these activists has drawn widespread condemnation from various world leaders and sparked protests in numerous cities.
Key Questions Answered:
- What happened during the interception?
- Who was part of the flotilla?
- How have global leaders reacted?
- What were the group’s primary goals?
What happened?
Israel’s foreign ministry announced on Thursday that all but one of the boats had been stopped, confirming that none had successfully breached the blockade. They also stated that all detained activists were safe and in good health, and arrangements were being made for their deportation to Europe.
Organizers of the flotilla claimed on social media that several vessels were intercepted in international waters, outside Israel’s jurisdiction. They denounced this as an “illegal” act and an “attack on unarmed humanitarians.” Video footage shared by the organizers overnight depicted Israeli soldiers boarding the boats and activists raising their hands while wearing life jackets. Another video showed Israel using water cannons against the activist boats.
The Israeli foreign ministry also noted that the single remaining boat was still far from the conflict zone and would be prevented from approaching Gaza if it attempted to do so.
What was the flotilla?
The boats were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, an activist group protesting Israel’s ongoing conflict in Gaza. Their declared mission was twofold: to deliver food to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in the region and to raise global awareness about the suffering in Gaza and the impact of Israel’s blockade.
Consisting of at least 40 vessels, the flotilla embarked from Spain in September, gathering additional ships as it traversed the Mediterranean Sea. According to Suhad Bishara, a lawyer with the Adalah legal center in Israel, which is representing the activists, approximately 500 people were on board.
Following the interceptions, the Israeli foreign ministry released a video showing Ms. Thunberg, one of several prominent figures on the flotilla, calmly interacting with a person in military gear during a boarding operation. Other notable participants included Mandla Mandela, a grandson of Nelson Mandela, and lawmakers from Italy, a country that has seen significant anti-war protests recently.
What was the reaction to the interceptions?
The news of the interception immediately triggered protests in Italy and at least nine other countries, as reported through social media and video footage. Italy’s largest labor union responded by announcing a general strike for Friday to protest the incident.
Both France’s and Italy’s foreign ministers confirmed they were working with Israeli authorities to ensure the protection of the activists. Meanwhile, Turkey’s foreign minister labeled the action against the flotilla “an act of terrorism.”
On Thursday, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa stated that the interception was a “grave offense” and insisted that Israel must permit humanitarian goods into Gaza. He also demanded the immediate release of South African citizens reportedly abducted in international waters.
The previous night, President Gustavo Petro of Colombia announced the termination of a free-trade agreement with Israel and the expulsion of its diplomatic delegation from Colombia, stating that two Colombians were among those detained by Israel.
What were the group’s aims?
The activists articulated their goals as “breaking the siege” of Gaza and establishing a humanitarian corridor for aid delivery by sea. They also aimed to bring international attention to the severe suffering within the enclave, which has been under an Israeli blockade since Hamas took power in 2007.
Israel’s restrictions on goods entering Gaza have intensified significantly since the start of the current war, which began with the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in 1,200 deaths. According to Gazan health authorities, over 65,000 Palestinians, including both civilians and combatants, have been killed since the conflict began.
In August, a United Nations-backed panel of food experts warned that parts of Gaza were experiencing famine. Israel, however, has disputed these findings and questioned the methodology used.