Late Wednesday evening, Israeli forces intercepted a group of boats forming a humanitarian aid flotilla destined for Gaza. The mission, organized by activists, aimed to deliver essential supplies and protest the ongoing conflict in the region, according to both the flotilla’s organizers and the Israeli Foreign Ministry.
A video released by the Israeli Foreign Ministry depicted renowned Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, among the passengers, calmly interacting with military personnel. The ministry stated that ‘several vessels’ of the flotilla were ‘safely brought to a halt,’ and those aboard were being transported to an Israeli port.
Conversely, the flotilla organizers took to social media, accusing Israeli naval forces of ‘illegally intercepting and boarding’ their boats in international waters. They condemned this action as ‘an illegal attack on unarmed humanitarians,’ sharing videos that appeared to show some vessels being hit with water cannons.
This fleet belongs to the Global Sumud Flotilla, an initiative by activists challenging Israel’s long-standing blockade of Gaza. Their goal is to deliver vital food and supplies to the besieged enclave. Recent reports from a United Nations-backed panel of food experts indicate that parts of Gaza have been experiencing severe famine, a claim that Israel disputes.
In another video released by the organizers, Thiago Ávila, a Brazilian activist and member of the group’s steering committee, was seen on a boat. He responded to an audible demand to turn back by asserting that their mission was purely humanitarian, carrying only food, medical supplies, and water filters.
Danny Danon, Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, dismissed the flotilla as a mere ‘public relations stunt’ in a statement Wednesday night. He declared that ‘those who attempted to enter Israeli territory illegally will be deported immediately after Yom Kippur,’ the Jewish holiday which commenced Wednesday evening and concludes Thursday at sundown.
The activists, including Ms. Thunberg, had anticipated a confrontation with Israeli forces. They had been livestreaming their journey across the Mediterranean on social media, with videos showing them practicing nonviolent responses to potential encounters with Israeli commandos.
Since its departure, the flotilla has garnered considerable public attention, largely due to the involvement of prominent figures such as Ms. Thunberg and Italian lawmakers. In Italy, antiwar protests have recently caused significant traffic disruptions and other disturbances.
From the outset, the organizers have been at odds with Israeli authorities. The Israeli government vowed to prevent the ships from reaching Gaza, accusing the group of affiliations with Hamas—a charge the organizers vehemently deny.
The Global Sumud Flotilla has further alleged that Israel was behind a series of drone attacks on their vessels as they navigated the Mediterranean. These alleged incidents include attacks in Greek waters last week and at a Tunisian port in early September.
However, as the flotilla approached Israel, the involved countries implored its members to reverse course.
On Wednesday, a joint appeal from the Greek and Italian foreign ministries requested the group to transfer their aid supplies to the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem for delivery. Their concern stemmed from the possibility that the activists’ actions could undermine the peace plan put forth by the United States on Monday.
Their statement emphasized, ‘At this critical moment, all parties must abstain from actions that could be exploited by those who continue to oppose peace.’
Spanish officials also cautioned the boats against entering what Israel had designated as a closed military zone, warning that continuing would ‘severely jeopardize their own security,’ as reported by Spain’s state broadcaster.
The Spanish broadcaster further noted that while the Spanish Navy would position a rescue vessel nearby for emergencies, activists were informed it would not accompany them if they persisted in sailing towards Gaza.
Following the interception, Mónica García, Spain’s health minister, used social media to call for the ‘immediate release’ of those detained.
Israeli officials had previously proposed that the cargo be offloaded at an Israeli port or another regional port for transfer to Gaza. However, organizers dismissed this offer as insincere, arguing it contradicted Israel’s own claims that the flotilla was linked to Hamas.
Adnaan Stumo, an American activist aboard one of the boats, recounted by telephone on Friday, ‘They call us ‘the Hamas flotilla,’ yet then they invite us to Ashkelon marina,’ highlighting the perceived hypocrisy.
Mr. Stumo emphasized that the volunteers were ‘ordinary individuals’ deeply troubled by the civilian toll of the war in Gaza, committed to principles of nonviolence.
Previous attempts by activists to reach Gaza by sea have similarly been blocked.
For instance, in May, the Gaza-bound ship ‘Conscience’ was forced to abandon its mission near Malta after experiencing explosions. In June, Israel intercepted ‘the Madleen,’ also carrying Ms. Thunberg, and in July, ‘the Handala’ faced a similar fate.
A prior attempt in 2010 to halt a flotilla tragically escalated when Israeli navy commandos boarded a vessel, resulting in the deaths of at least nine passengers and injuries to 30 others.
Since the onset of the war following the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, Israel has significantly tightened restrictions on goods entering Gaza. From March to May of this year, Israel completely halted all aid, asserting that it was preventing Hamas from diverting food supplies meant for civilians.
By August, international food security experts confirmed that parts of Gaza were enduring famine, with widespread severe hunger and deprivation. Furthermore, a UN commission investigating the war’s conduct last month concluded that Israel was committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.
Israel has categorically rejected both these findings, questioning their methodologies.