Photo Credit: Getty Images
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Israeli naval forces intercepted part of a civilian aid flotilla bound for Gaza on Thursday, sparking immediate diplomatic fallout and global protests. Organisers said 14 of the roughly 40 boats were stopped in international waters, while 23 vessels carrying supplies and activists pressed on toward the enclave.
Among those briefly detained was Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, seen in video footage surrounded by Israeli soldiers on the deck of a small boat. Israel's foreign ministry confirmed she and other passengers were "safe and healthy" and were being transferred to port before deportation procedures.
The Global Sumud Flotilla, launched from Mediterranean ports earlier this week, includes more than 500 participants, politicians, lawyers, doctors, and campaigners,carrying food and medicine. Organisers insist the effort is a non-violent mission aimed at breaking what they call Israel's "unlawful siege" of Gaza, where nearly two years of war have left entire neighborhoods in ruins.
Israel rejected that description, saying it had repeatedly warned the boats not to enter a designated combat zone. Officials argued that humanitarian assistance can be delivered through existing channels, accusing the flotilla of staging a political stunt rather than prioritising aid.
The interception drew swift responses. Turkey branded the action "an act of terror" and launched an investigation into the detention of its citizens. Colombian President Gustavo Petro expelled Israel's diplomatic staff, called the seizure of Colombian nationals an "international crime," and suspended a bilateral free trade agreement. Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim condemned the operation as showing "utter contempt for the conscience of the world." Protests also erupted in Italy, Greece, Tunisia, and Germany.
Activists aboard claimed Israeli forces used aggressive tactics including water cannons and deliberate ramming of smaller vessels. Organisers described the move as "piracy," alleging ship communications were jammed to prevent distress signals and live video feeds.
Israel has maintained a naval blockade on Gaza since 2007, citing the need to prevent weapons reaching Hamas. Previous flotillas have ended in violence, including the deadly 2010 raid that killed nine activists. The latest effort reignites a long-running flashpoint between Israel and international campaigners.
