The Israeli navy intercepted several boats from a flotilla trying to bring humanitarian goods to the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, detaining activists on board—including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg , the Israeli Foreign Ministry confirmed.
The flotilla is the latest sea-borne attempt to break Israel's blockade of Gaza, much of which has been turned into a wasteland by almost two years of war.
In a post on X, the Israeli foreign ministry said that they have already stopped several vessels of the Hamas-Sumud flotilla and their passengers are being transferred to an Israeli port and added that Greta and her friends are "safe and healthy."
'Sole purpose of the Hamas-Sumud flotilla is provocation'
The foreign ministry claimed that the Flotilla was not interested in aid, but in provocation. It further said that the group had been informed it was "violating a lawful naval blockade" covering the waters adjacent to Gaza, though it remains unclear if the boats entered the blockade zone.
"The sole purpose of the Hamas-Sumud flotilla is provocation. Israel, Italy, Greece, and the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem have all offered and continue to offer the flotilla a way to peacefully deliver any aid they might have to Gaza. The flotilla refused because they are not interested in aid, but in provocation," the ministry wrote in a post on X.
"The Israeli Navy has reached out to the Hamas-Sumud flotilla and asked them to change course. Israel has informed the flotilla that it is approaching an active combat zone and violating a lawful naval blockade. Israel reiterated the offer to transfer any aid peacefully through safe channels to Gaza," it added.
Footage released by the ministry showed Thunberg on the deck of a boat, being handed water and a jacket by an Israeli military member. Livestreams from the boats indicated that not all of the 44 vessels had been boarded and evacuated.
Flotilla condemns inception, calls it 'illegal'
Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) condemned the interception as "illegal" and "not an act of defence" but described it as "a brazen act of desperation."
The group alleged that one vessel within the flotilla was "deliberately rammed at sea" and reported that additional boats were struck by water cannons.
"Multiple vessels ... were illegally intercepted and boarded by Israeli Occupation Forces in international waters," the organisers said in a statement.
"It clearly reveals the extreme lengths to which the occupier will go to ensure Gaza remains starved and isolated," GSF wrote on social media. "They will attack a peaceful civilian mission because the success of humanitarian aid means the failure of their siege."
The flotilla was reportedly 70 nautical miles from Gaza's shoreline when the intervention occurred, with the group aiming to arrive in Gaza on Thursday morning. Protests against Israel's interception of the flotilla have taken place in Greece, Italy, Tunisia, and Turkey.
While the Israeli govt characterised the flotilla as a "selfie yacht," Thunberg countered the criticism, telling the BBC on Sunday, "I don't think anyone would risk their life for a publicity stunt."
Last week the flotilla was attacked by drones, which dropped stun grenades and itching powder on the vessels, causing damage but no injuries.
Israel did not comment on the drone attack, but has said it will use any means to prevent the boats from reaching Gaza, arguing that its naval blockade is legal as it battles Hamas militants in the coastal enclave.
The flotilla is the latest sea-borne attempt to break Israel's blockade of Gaza, much of which has been turned into a wasteland by almost two years of war.
In a post on X, the Israeli foreign ministry said that they have already stopped several vessels of the Hamas-Sumud flotilla and their passengers are being transferred to an Israeli port and added that Greta and her friends are "safe and healthy."
'Sole purpose of the Hamas-Sumud flotilla is provocation'
The foreign ministry claimed that the Flotilla was not interested in aid, but in provocation. It further said that the group had been informed it was "violating a lawful naval blockade" covering the waters adjacent to Gaza, though it remains unclear if the boats entered the blockade zone.
"The sole purpose of the Hamas-Sumud flotilla is provocation. Israel, Italy, Greece, and the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem have all offered and continue to offer the flotilla a way to peacefully deliver any aid they might have to Gaza. The flotilla refused because they are not interested in aid, but in provocation," the ministry wrote in a post on X.
The sole purpose of the Hamas-Sumud flotilla is provocation. Israel, Italy, Greece, and the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem have all offered and continue to offer the flotilla a way to peacefully deliver any aid they might have to Gaza. The flotilla refused because they are not… pic.twitter.com/pLQj1FLIPA
— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) October 1, 2025
"The Israeli Navy has reached out to the Hamas-Sumud flotilla and asked them to change course. Israel has informed the flotilla that it is approaching an active combat zone and violating a lawful naval blockade. Israel reiterated the offer to transfer any aid peacefully through safe channels to Gaza," it added.
Ohwayla is under Israeli attack pic.twitter.com/dKFutcYoUc
— Global Sumud Flotilla Commentary (@GlobalSumudF) October 2, 2025
Moments of the Israeli navy targeting Mikeno ship of Sumud Flotilla with water cannon. pic.twitter.com/m9sWOnraOW
— Clash Report (@clashreport) October 1, 2025
Footage released by the ministry showed Thunberg on the deck of a boat, being handed water and a jacket by an Israeli military member. Livestreams from the boats indicated that not all of the 44 vessels had been boarded and evacuated.
Flotilla condemns inception, calls it 'illegal'
Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) condemned the interception as "illegal" and "not an act of defence" but described it as "a brazen act of desperation."
The group alleged that one vessel within the flotilla was "deliberately rammed at sea" and reported that additional boats were struck by water cannons.
"Multiple vessels ... were illegally intercepted and boarded by Israeli Occupation Forces in international waters," the organisers said in a statement.
"It clearly reveals the extreme lengths to which the occupier will go to ensure Gaza remains starved and isolated," GSF wrote on social media. "They will attack a peaceful civilian mission because the success of humanitarian aid means the failure of their siege."
The GSF reported that multiple ships, including the Alma, Surius, and Adara, were intercepted and boarded. Prior to the interception, the group accused the Israeli military of "intentionally damaging ship communications, in an attempt to block distress signals and stop the livestream of their illegal boat boarding."MOMENT Israeli Navy INTERCEPTS Gaza aid flotilla boat
— RT (@RT_com) October 1, 2025
Novara Media's Kieran Andrieu tells fellow crew to keep their hands up
Final seconds: Israeli soldiers order 'phones IN the water' https://t.co/GTBDMcg20Y pic.twitter.com/5xE6TZsn0x
The flotilla was reportedly 70 nautical miles from Gaza's shoreline when the intervention occurred, with the group aiming to arrive in Gaza on Thursday morning. Protests against Israel's interception of the flotilla have taken place in Greece, Italy, Tunisia, and Turkey.
While the Israeli govt characterised the flotilla as a "selfie yacht," Thunberg countered the criticism, telling the BBC on Sunday, "I don't think anyone would risk their life for a publicity stunt."
Last week the flotilla was attacked by drones, which dropped stun grenades and itching powder on the vessels, causing damage but no injuries.
Israel did not comment on the drone attack, but has said it will use any means to prevent the boats from reaching Gaza, arguing that its naval blockade is legal as it battles Hamas militants in the coastal enclave.
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