A new Gaza-bound aid flotilla has been intercepted by the Israeli army.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) announced that the Israeli military attacked its convoy of boats and intercepted several vessels as they were sailing towards Gaza.
The FFC stated that the military had attacked The Conscience; a boat carrying 93 journalists, doctors and activists, before it attacked and intercepted three smaller boats today, Wednesday, October 8, 2025.
The organisers said on X, “Three vessels – Gaza Sunbirds, Alaa Al-Najjar, and Anas Al-Sharif – have been attacked and illegally intercepted by the Israeli military” early morning, 220km off the coast of Gaza.
“The Israeli military has no legal jurisdiction over international waters. Our flotilla poses no harm.”
Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC)
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition is an international network of pro-Palestinian activist groups that organises civilian maritime missions aimed at breaking Israel’s blockade of Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid to Palestinians there.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition disclosed that the ships carried aid worth more than $110,000 in medicines, respiratory equipment and nutritional supplies intended for Gaza’s starving hospitals.
Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on X that a raid on the flotilla had taken place. “Another futile attempt to breach the legal naval blockade and enter a combat zone ended in nothing,” the ministry said.
“The vessels and the passengers are transferred to an Israeli port. All the passengers are safe and in good health. The passengers are expected to be deported promptly.”
Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The incident was the second such event in recent days, after Israel intercepted about 40 vessels and detained more than 450 activists in an aid convoy, the Global Sumud Flotilla, that was also attempting to deliver supplies to Gaza. Their detention drew mass protests across Europe.
Many activists on board, including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, alleged being subjected to brutal physical and verbal abuse by Israeli forces during their detention this week.
Rima Hassan, a French-Palestinian member of the European Parliament, said she was “beaten” by Israeli police after the flotilla was intercepted.
American activist David Adler described being “stripped,” “zip-tied,” and “blindfolded” before his detention, as well as being forced to be photographed with Israeli National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir.
Interception Of New Gaza Aid Flotilla Decried
Malaysian Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim said that he strongly condemned the Israeli action and demanded that Malaysian activists taking part in the flotilla mission be released.
Turkiye’s Foreign Ministry also condemned Israel’s interception of a new Gaza-bound aid flotilla as an “act of piracy committed by the genocidal Netanyahu government.”
“This attack on civilian activists, among whom were Turkish citizens and parliamentarians, has gravely violated international law.
“By targeting all efforts that defend humanitarian values and use peaceful methods through the use of violence, Israel is escalating tensions in the region and damaging efforts for lasting peace.”
Turkiye’s Foreign Ministry
Irish, French and Danish activists, among other nationals, are also reportedly on board the flotilla. Mathilde Panot, a leading figure in the France Unbowed party, said that three French parliamentarians were on board the flotilla, calling the Israeli move against it illegal.
Palestinian Islamic Jihad called Israel’s interception of aid vessels attempting to break the siege on Gaza a “new violation” of humanitarian norms and international law.
It said that the silence over the interception from European governments only “encourages” the Israeli military to continue its actions.
READ ALSO: Israel Deports Greta Thunberg, 170 Other Global Sumud Flotilla Activists
