Israeli Navy Intercepts Gaza Aid Flotilla, Detains Activists Including Greta Thunberg

The Israeli Navy has successfully intercepted a large flotilla attempting to breach its maritime blockade on the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, detaining numerous activists, including prominent environmental advocate Greta Thunberg. The operation, which commenced Friday night and continued into Saturday morning, followed a final warning issued by the military for the pro-Palestinian fleet to alter its course.

Troops boarded at least six of the 47 vessels comprising the ‘Global Sumud Flotilla’ by midnight, jamming their signals and transferring activists to an Israeli port for eventual deportation. The Foreign Ministry confirmed Thunberg’s detention, sharing a video of an Israeli soldier handling her belongings and assuring that “Greta and her friends are safe and healthy.”

French politician Marie Mesmeur and Franco-Palestinian MEP Rima Hassan also reported their boats were intercepted. Live footage reportedly showed activists discarding their phones into the sea as soldiers approached.

The flotilla, which departed from Spain a month ago, carried a symbolic amount of humanitarian aid and over 500 people. Israel has accused some organizers of having ties to Hamas, a claim they deny. The Foreign Ministry reiterated its offer for aid to be delivered via established channels through Ashdod Port, where it would undergo security inspections before transfer to Gaza.

Italy, alongside Spain, had shadowed the flotilla for part of its journey and confirmed the Israeli intervention. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani stated that activists would be deported and that Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar assured him no violence would be used by the IDF. The interception occurred approximately 70 nautical miles off Gaza’s coast, within Israel’s declared exclusion zone.

Organizers, including Nelson Mandela’s grandson Mandla Mandela and former Barcelona Mayor Ada Colau, had rejected calls to divert, vowing to press on. Activists reported Israeli authorities using water cannons against some boats, though no injuries were reported. Shortly before the naval operation, five rockets were fired from northern Gaza towards Ashdod, with four intercepted and one landing in an open area, causing no damage or injuries.

This interception follows similar attempts blocked in June and July. Israel and Egypt have maintained a blockade on Gaza since Hamas seized power in 2007, citing security concerns, while critics decry it as collective punishment amidst a severe humanitarian crisis in the Strip.

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