Israeli forces intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla, a humanitarian aid mission to Gaza, in international waters, detaining hundreds of activists including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg . The military action triggered a wave of diplomatic protests and street demonstrations across the globe, with several nations condemning the move as a violation of international law .
The flotilla, composed of dozens of boats and around 500 activists from nearly 50 countries, was attempting to break Israel's long-standing maritime blockade of Gaza . Organizers said the mission carried a symbolic amount of humanitarian supplies to highlight the severe aid shortage in the Palestinian territory . Israel's navy began stopping the boats approximately 70 nautical miles off the Gaza coast, an area the flotilla described as a "danger zone" where past interceptions have occurred .
The Israeli government defended its actions, stating its navy warned the vessels they were "approaching an active combat zone and violating a lawful naval blockade" . Israel's Foreign Ministry said all detained activists were "safe and in good health" and would be transferred to the port of Ashdod for deportation procedures . Official social media posts showed Thunberg being given water and a jacket by a soldier, with the caption, "Greta and her friends are safe and healthy" .
In a significant diplomatic response, Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot summoned Israel's ambassador to protest the interception and the detention of seven Belgian citizens . Prevot called the manner of the boarding "unacceptable," specifically citing the location in international waters . This move was part of a broader wave of international criticism from governments across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro took some of the strongest measures, announcing the expulsion of all remaining Israeli diplomats from his country and terminating a free trade agreement with Israel that had been in place since 2020 . He denounced the interception as an "international crime" and called for the release of two Colombian nationals aboard the flotilla .
Turkey's government condemned the operation as an "act of terrorism that gravely violates international law" . The Turkish Foreign Ministry said the assault demonstrated that the policies of Prime Minister Netanyahu's government "are not limited to Palestinians, but extend to all those who resist Israel’s oppression" . Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim also criticized the interception, stating Israel had shown "utter contempt not only for the rights of the Palestinian people but also for the conscience of the world" . He confirmed eight Malaysian citizens were among those detained .
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa confirmed that Nelson Mandela's grandson, Mandla Mandela, was detained in the operation . Ramaphosa called the interception "another grave offence by Israel of global solidarity" and demanded the release of all flotilla "abductees" . He said the mission "represents solidarity with Gaza, not confrontation with Israel" .
European governments expressed deep concern and worked to secure the release of their citizens. France's President Emmanuel Macron called on Israel to "respect" international law and ensure French nationals were protected . The UK Foreign Office stated it was "very concerned" and had contacted Israeli authorities to "make clear we expect the situation to be resolved safely" . Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez defended the flotilla, stating it was a humanitarian mission that would not be necessary if Israel allowed adequate aid into Gaza . He extended full diplomatic protection to Spanish participants .
Italy's government struck a more critical tone toward the activists. While Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Israel promised "not to use violence" and the government would work to bring forty Italian citizens home, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said she believed the flotilla's actions "bring no benefit to the Palestinian people" . Despite this official stance, Italy's main trade union called for a general strike in solidarity with Gaza and to protest the flotilla's interception .
The legal basis for the interception is fiercely contested. Israel maintains it has the right to enforce a naval blockade to prevent materials from reaching Hamas militants in Gaza . Flotilla organizers and several international law experts argue that intercepting vessels in international waters is illegal, especially for a humanitarian mission . The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, called for Israel to "urgently lift the blockade on Gaza and allow the entry of life-saving material through all means possible" .
This incident recalls a deadly 2010 flotilla raid where Israeli commandos killed nine Turkish activists and one Turkish-American, severely straining Israel-Turkey relations for years . Organizers of the current flotilla reported their vessels were targeted by drone attacks on three separate occasions during their journey from Spain, including twice in Tunisian waters and once near Greece . Tunisian authorities are investigating one attack as a "deliberate act" .
As the detained activists face deportation, a legal team working with the flotilla said another attempt to breach the blockade is expected "in the coming days" . This next effort, organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, could involve up to 13 vessels following a similar route toward Gaza . The ongoing maritime confrontations highlight the deep international divisions over Israel's blockade and the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where the UN-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification has confirmed a state of famine.