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The Israeli navy intercepted several boats carrying aid to Gaza overnight, arresting dozens of activists on board, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg. The move triggered a wave of protests and condemnation from governments worldwide.
The vessels, part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, set sail with food and medicine in an effort to break Israel’s long-standing blockade of Gaza. Organizers said about 40 boats with 500 passengers, parliamentarians, lawyers, and activists, joined the mission. By Thursday morning, flotilla representatives said at least 13 vessels had been stopped, while about 30 others continued toward Gaza.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry said the ships were “safely immobilized” and the passengers taken to port. It stressed that the flotilla had been warned it was entering “an active combat zone” and that aid could instead be delivered through official channels. “Greta and her friends are safe and sound,” the ministry said in a post.
Hamas-Sumud passengers on their yachts are making their way safely and peacefully to Israel, where their deportation procedures to Europe will begin. The passengers are safe and in good health. pic.twitter.com/pzzitP5jN8
— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) October 2, 2025
The operation caused an immediate political fallout. Turkey denounced the interception as a “terrorist act.” Spain, Ireland, Pakistan, Malaysia, and Brazil also condemned Israel, while Colombia’s president expelled Israel’s diplomatic staff, calling the detentions “a new international crime.” The U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights urged Israel to lift the blockade and allow aid “without hindrance.”
On the streets, anger spread quickly. Demonstrators in Italy, Greece, Germany, Tunisia, and Argentina rallied in solidarity with the flotilla. In Naples, protesters blocked train stations, while Italian unions called for a nationwide strike on Friday, describing Israel’s actions as “an extremely serious issue.”
Israel has enforced a naval blockade on Gaza since 2007, arguing it is necessary to prevent weapons smuggling by Hamas. Activists, however, say their mission is strictly humanitarian. Previous attempts to challenge the blockade have ended violently, most notably in 2010, when nine people were killed after Israeli forces stormed a flotilla.
Despite the overnight raids, flotilla organizers said the remaining boats would press on. “We will continue undeterred,” they wrote on social media, as their ships drew closer to Gaza.
*Information sourced from Reuters, AFP, Guardian, BBC
