Israeli naval forces intercepted dozens of vessels bound for Gaza on Thursday, detaining hundreds of activists, including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg and European lawmakers, in one of the largest flotilla confrontations since Israel imposed its blockade on the enclave in 2007.
The Global Sumud Flotilla, a convoy of more than 40 boats carrying around 500 activists, had set sail across the Mediterranean with food and medical supplies. Organizers said the scale of the effort was designed to make it harder for Israel to stop every vessel. By Thursday evening, all but one boat had been seized, according to flotilla leaders, who said the final vessel lost contact just miles from Gaza's shoreline.
Israeli officials confirmed that Thunberg, former Barcelona Mayor Ada Colau, and European Parliament member Rima Hassan were among those detained. The Foreign Ministry said the passengers were "safe and in good health" and would be deported to Europe. "None of the Hamas-Sumud provocation yachts has succeeded in its attempt to enter an active combat zone or breach the lawful naval blockade," the ministry posted on X.
Video verified by Reuters showed Israeli soldiers in helmets and night-vision gear boarding the ships as passengers huddled in life vests. Organizers accused Israel of boarding "illegally in international waters" and denounced the action as a "war crime." The Israeli military said it had warned the flotilla repeatedly that it was entering a combat zone and offered to deliver aid through official channels.
The interception sparked protests in European and Latin American capitals. Italy's largest trade union announced a one-day general strike, while demonstrations erupted in Rome, Naples, Athens, Istanbul and Buenos Aires. Turkey's Foreign Ministry labeled the operation "an act of terror," while prosecutors in Istanbul launched an investigation into the detention of 24 Turkish citizens. Colombian President Gustavo Petro ordered Israel's diplomatic delegation expelled and canceled his country's free trade pact with Israel, citing the detention of two Colombians.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said 23 Malaysians were among those detained. South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa condemned the interception as a "grave offence," calling for the release of all activists, including Nelson Mandela's grandson Nkosi Zwelivelile Mandela.
The high-profile mission drew international attention as governments tracked their nationals onboard. Italy and Spain deployed naval ships part of the way, while Turkish drones monitored the convoy. Ireland's Foreign Minister Simon Harris wrote on X that "this is a peaceful mission to shine a light on a horrific humanitarian catastrophe."
Israel has long argued its blockade of Gaza is necessary to prevent weapons smuggling to Hamas. But critics contend the restrictions worsen Gaza's humanitarian crisis, which has intensified after nearly two years of war. Earlier flotillas have failed to breach the blockade, including the deadly 2010 raid that killed 10 activists.
Jonathan Peled, Israel's ambassador to Italy, dismissed the mission as political theater. "This systematic refusal [to hand over the aid] demonstrates that the objective is not humanitarian, but provocative," he said.
