Israel Intercepts Gaza Aid Flotilla, Detains Greta Thunberg Amid Drone Attack Allegations

Israeli naval forces this week intercepted a Gaza-bound humanitarian aid flotilla, detaining dozens of activists, including prominent Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and several European lawmakers. The move has sparked swift international criticism and comes as new details emerge regarding alleged Israeli military operations against two vessels of the same flotilla last month.

According to American intelligence officials briefed on the matter, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directly approved drone attacks on two boats, the *Family* and the *Alma*, on September 8 and 9. These vessels, part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, were moored outside Tunisia’s Sidi Bou Said port when drones, reportedly launched from a submarine, dropped incendiary devices, causing fires. The officials, who spoke anonymously, stated that the attacks occurred when high-profile figures were reportedly absent from the boats.

The Global Sumud Flotilla confirmed the damage to the Portuguese-flagged *Family* and the British-flagged *Alma*, though crews quickly extinguished the flames, and no casualties were reported. The group believes these incidents were deliberate attempts to obstruct their mission to break Israel’s naval blockade of the Gaza Strip and deliver aid. International humanitarian law prohibits the use of incendiary weapons against civilian populations or objects.

Tunisian authorities, however, disputed the drone attack claims in September, suggesting initial inspections indicated an internal explosion. Pro-Israeli social media accounts also posited that activists improperly used flare guns. Footage released by the Global Sumud Flotilla and obtained by CBS News appears to show flames falling onto the boats, contradicting the internal explosion theory.

Further incidents in late September saw the activist group reporting attacks by 15 low-altitude drones south of Greece, causing damage to at least 10 boats and disrupting communication systems, though again without casualties.

The latest interception involved American citizens, including Marine Corps veteran Jessica Clotfelter and Greg Stoker, an organizer of the veterans’ delegation. The U.S. State Department confirmed it is monitoring the situation and providing assistance to U.S. citizens, while also labeling the flotilla a “deliberate and unnecessary provocation” amidst ongoing efforts for a negotiated solution in Gaza.

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