In a familiar pattern that echoes the fate of previous missions, Israeli forces have boarded and taken control of several ships that are part of the Global Sumud Flotilla.
The flotilla – which in all includes more than 40 civilian boats and about 500 activists – was intercepted by Israeli forces late on Wednesday, with activists on board detained and taken to Israel.
They reported that Israeli naval forces boarded the vessels about 70 nautical miles (130km) off the coast of Gaza, cutting communications and jamming signals as the flotilla neared the blockaded enclave.
In total, at least 13 vessels that are part of the flotilla have been intercepted at sea. Saif Abukeshek, Spokesperson for the Global Sumud Flotilla, said more than 201 people from 37 countries were on board these boats. This included 30 participants from Spain, 22 from Italy, 21 from Turkiye and 12 from Malaysia, among others.
“We have around 30 ships that are still fighting their way away from the military vessels of the occupation forces trying to reach to the shores of Gaza. They are determined.”
Saif Abukeshek
Those are now 85km (46 nautical miles) from Gaza’s coast, according to the flotilla organisers.
The Flotilla organizers disclosed that several ships were targeted by acts of “active aggression.” “Florida vessel has been deliberately rammed at sea. Yulara, Meteque and others have been targeted with water cannons,” the group said on Telegram. It added that all passengers on board were unharmed.
Before being intercepted, the vessels had succeeded in sailing beyond the point where the Madleen Flotilla was intercepted by Israeli forces earlier this year.
Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a post on X that “several vessels” of the flotilla were “safely stopped and their passengers are being transferred to an Israeli port.”
It wrote that Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, who had been on board the lead ship Alma, “and her friends are safe and healthy.”
Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, announced that the activists would be deported once the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur concludes on Thursday.
The Global Sumud Flotilla’s official channels denounced Israel’s actions in a statement, saying the mission’s vessels were being “illegally intercepted.”
“People of conscience have been abducted. The flotilla broke no laws. What is illegal is Israel’s genocide, Israel’s illegal blockade of Gaza, and Israel’s use of starvation as a weapon.”
Global Sumud Flotilla
The statement urged supporters to pressure governments to act, writing, “Demand your government cut ties with Israel.”
Interception Of Global Sumud Flotilla Sparks Swift Criticism
Israel’s interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla led to swift criticism from global leaders.
Turkiye’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned Israel’s interception of the boats, denouncing it as an “act of terrorism” and a severe breach of international law.
In a statement, the ministry said it was taking initiatives to ensure the immediate release of Turkish citizens and other passengers detained by the Israeli forces.
Malaysian Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim called for the immediate release of Malaysian citizens. In a statement on X, he said that it would take “all lawful and legally grounded measures to hold Israel accountable.”
He stated that Israel was not only disregarding “the basic rights of the Palestinian people but has also trampled on the conscience of the global community.”
Also, Colombian President, Gustavo Petro announced on X that his government was expelling Israeli diplomats and cancelling Colombia’s free trade agreement in light of Israel’s actions.
He said that Colombia “must pursue all the appropriate demands, including through Israeli courts” to ensure the return of its citizens.
As news of the interceptions circulated on social media, protests broke out across several major world cities, including Athens, Rome, Berlin, Brussels, Tunis and Ankara.
Italy’s largest union called a general strike for Friday in protest over the treatment of the Sumud Flotilla.
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