Early Thursday morning, Israeli forces intercepted over a dozen boats carrying international activists, part of a humanitarian flotilla attempting to deliver aid to Gaza and protest the ongoing conflict. This action led to the detention of more than 150 activists from over 20 nations, while approximately 30 additional boats continue their journey toward Gaza’s coast, currently about 46 nautical miles away.
The Israeli foreign ministry confirmed on Wednesday night that “several” vessels were “safely stopped,” with passengers being transferred to an Israeli port. A video released by the ministry showed Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, a passenger, calmly interacting with military personnel.
These boats belong to the Global Sumud Flotilla, an initiative by activists aiming to defy Israel’s long-standing blockade of Gaza by delivering essential food and supplies. Gaza has faced severe famine in recent months, a crisis highlighted by a United Nations-backed panel of food experts, though Israel has disputed these findings.
Flotilla organizers shared a video featuring Thiago Ávila, a Brazilian steering committee activist, asserting their humanitarian mission, carrying only food, medical supplies, and water filters, in response to Israeli demands to turn back.
The organizers condemned the Israeli naval intervention as an “illegal attack on unarmed humanitarians,” claiming their boats were intercepted and boarded in international waters. Videos also showed some vessels being targeted by water cannons. In response, Danny Danon, Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, dismissed the flotilla as a “public relations stunt” and stated that detained passengers would be swiftly deported.
Activists had anticipated confrontations, livestreaming their Mediterranean journey and conducting nonviolent response training for potential encounters with Israeli commandos. The flotilla garnered significant public attention due to high-profile participants like Ms. Thunberg and Italian lawmakers, drawing anti-war protests that have recently caused disruptions in Italy.
The interceptions quickly ignited further protests across Italy, prompting the Unione Sindacale di Base trade union to call for a nationwide strike on Friday. Demonstrations were also reported in Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Spain, and Turkey, with flotilla organizers expressing gratitude to street protesters in their early Thursday video update.
Malaysia’s Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim, vehemently criticized Israel’s actions on Thursday morning, demanding the immediate release of the activists. He declared that Israel’s obstruction “not only disregards the basic rights of the Palestinian people but has also trampled on the conscience of the global community.” Malaysian state news confirmed the detention of eight Malaysian citizens from the flotilla by the Israeli military.
The mission has been marked by ongoing tension with Israeli authorities, who have vowed to prevent the ships from reaching Gaza and accused the group of Hamas ties, a claim denied by the organizers. The Global Sumud Flotilla previously accused Israel of drone attacks on its ships during their journey, including incidents near Greece last week and in a Tunisian port in September.
Following these incidents, Italy and Spain dispatched naval ships to escort the flotilla for parts of its route, while Turkey deployed drones to monitor and document potential attacks. However, as the flotilla neared Israel, these countries urged the activists to retreat.
On Wednesday, Greek and Italian foreign ministries issued a joint appeal, suggesting the aid be transferred to the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem for delivery. They voiced concerns that the activists’ actions could undermine the peace plan proposed by the United States earlier that week, stating, “At this delicate juncture, everyone must refrain from initiatives that could be exploited by those who still reject peace.” Spanish officials echoed these warnings, urging the boats to avoid entering what Israel designated a closed military zone due to severe security risks, as reported by Spain’s state broadcaster.
Israeli officials had offered to transport the cargo to Gaza if activists agreed to offload it at an Israeli or regional port. Organizers rejected this proposal as insincere, citing it as proof that Israel did not genuinely believe them to be affiliated with Hamas. Adnaan Stumo, an American activist on one of the boats, remarked by telephone, “After they call us ‘the Hamas flotilla,’ then they invite us to Ashkelon marina.” Mr. Stumo emphasized that the volunteers were “normal people” motivated by humanitarian concerns over the war’s civilian impact and committed to nonviolence.
Past attempts by activists to reach Gaza by sea have also been unsuccessful. In May, the Gaza-bound ship Conscience was forced to halt its mission off Malta after sustaining explosions. Israel subsequently intercepted the Madleen in June, with Ms. Thunberg on board, and the vessel Handala in July.
A previous flotilla interception in 2010 turned tragic when Israeli navy commandos boarded a boat, resulting in the deaths of at least nine passengers and injuries to 30 others.
Israel’s restrictions on goods entering Gaza have intensified since the war began on October 7, 2023. Between March and May of this year, Israel entirely blocked aid, claiming it was preventing Hamas from diverting food intended for civilians. In August, food security experts worldwide confirmed that parts of Gaza were experiencing famine, with widespread severe hunger. Last month, a U.N. commission investigating the war accused Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. Israel has rejected both of these findings and criticized their methodologies.