Israeli forces have intercepted and detained the crews of at least 22 boats from a flotilla attempting to break the maritime blockade of Gaza, in an operation the organisers described as a ‘violent raid’ in international waters near the Greek island of Crete.
The Global Sumud Flotilla, comprising around 58 vessels and people from 70 countries, departed from Italy on Sunday. Flotilla organisers said Israel’s actions marked “a dangerous and unprecedented escalation, the abduction of civilians in the middle of the Mediterranean, over 600 miles from Gaza”.
Israel’s foreign ministry confirmed the IDF had taken control of more than 20 boats with about 175 activists on board. The flotilla’s live tracker showed 22 boats intercepted, with 36 still sailing. In released footage, an Israeli navy officer urged activists to change course, saying they could deliver aid through recognised channels or proceed to Ashdod port.
The interception was condemned by Turkey’s foreign ministry as “an act of piracy” and a violation of international law. Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called for the immediate release of Italian nationals on board. UN special rapporteur Francesca Albanese questioned how Israel could be allowed to assault vessels in international waters near Greece.
Israel’s defence minister, Israel Katz, said the flotilla was “organised by the Hamas terror organisation, in cooperation with additional international organisations”. Israeli foreign minister Gideon Saar later stated the activists would be transferred to Greece, not Israel, and had been removed unharmed.
The flotilla organisers reported that communications were jammed, and after damaging engines and navigation equipment, Israeli forces left vessels powerless in the path of an approaching storm. The Israeli military declined to comment on these allegations.
