The Israeli navy has intercepted a flotilla that was attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, detaining several activists on board, including renowned Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg. According to Israel’s Foreign Ministry, multiple vessels which are part of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) were “safely stopped” and those aboard are currently being transferred to an Israeli port.
Israeli naval forces reportedly instructed the flotilla to alter its course as it was nearing an area designated as an active combat zone. Early on Thursday morning, GSF announced that approximately 30 of their boats were still making their way to Gaza, situated about 46 nautical miles from their goal.
“It clearly reveals the extreme lengths to which the occupier will go to ensure Gaza remains starved and isolated,”
the GSF commented on social media, condemning the interception as “illegal” and not a defensive action but rather a “brazen act of desperation.” The group further alleged that one of their vessels was intentionally rammed while others faced water cannon attacks.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry maintains that the flotilla was violating a lawful naval blockade, although it remains uncertain whether the boats had actually entered the designated blockade area. The ministry released footage depicting Thunberg seated on a boat’s deck, receiving water and a jacket from an Israeli military member.
While some livestreams indicated that not all of the 44 vessels had been boarded, the Israeli government has labeled the GSF’s mission as a “provocation,” stating, “Greta and her friends are safe and healthy.” The GSF reported that several vessels, including the Alma, Surius, and Adara, were intercepted and boarded by Israeli forces. Prior to these events, the group accused the Israeli military of deliberately impairing ship communications to obstruct distress signals and disrupt livestreams of their boarding.
International Reactions and Protests
The GSF had anticipated that their ships would reach Gaza by Thursday morning, being situated 70 nautical miles from the Gaza shoreline when the Israeli intervention occurred. In response to the interception, protests have emerged across Greece, Italy, Germany, Tunisia, and Turkey. Notably, Italian unions have called for a general strike on Friday in support of the flotilla and its humanitarian mission.
Turkey’s foreign ministry condemned the Israeli actions as an “act of terrorism”, demanding accountability for the “perpetrators”. In a significant diplomatic move, Colombian President Gustavo Petro has expelled remaining Israeli diplomats from Colombia, labeling the interception an “international crime by Netanyahu” and has terminated the free trade agreement established in 2020, calling for the release of two Colombian nationals aboard the flotilla.
Irish Deputy Prime Minister Simon Harris expressed concern over the situation, emphasizing the expectation that Israel should adhere to international law, noting that at least seven Irish citizens are among the detained activists, including Sinn Féin senator Chris Andrews.
Background and Ongoing Tensions
This interception marks another instance where Israel has thwarted attempts by activists to deliver aid to Gaza, with prior attempts blocked in June and July. The Israeli government has disparaged the flotilla as a mere publicity stunt, while Thunberg has countered these accusations, asserting, “I don’t think anyone would risk their life for a publicity stunt.”
Despite ongoing efforts from international aid organizations to provide food and medical assistance to Gaza, Israel continues to enforce restrictions, claiming they aim to prevent supplies from reaching Hamas. The U.S. and Israel have supported an alternative aid distribution framework, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which the UN has refused to endorse, deeming it unethical.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached alarming levels, with a recent UN-backed report confirming famine in the territory, a situation attributed to Israel’s “systematic obstruction” of aid. Contrarily, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has labeled these claims as “outright lies”.
In response to the tumultuous situation, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot stated that France had ensured that any boarding operations would be executed under optimal security conditions, while Italy’s foreign minister received assurances from Israel that no violence would be used against the 500 individuals on board, which includes politicians from France and Italy.
As tensions continue to rise, the International Committee of the Red Cross has reiterated that “under international humanitarian law, civilians must be protected whether they stay or leave Gaza City.” Meanwhile, Israel is intensifying its military actions in Gaza City, urging residents to evacuate southward or be classified as “terrorists and supporters of terror”.