The Israeli government said on Thursday that its forces had intercepted most of a flotilla trying to bring humanitarian goods to Gaza and detained activists from around the world who were onboard.
After several boats were intercepted, activists said communications had been cut. Screen grabs of the flotilla’s livestream showed Israeli soldiers on board the vessels, and activists in life jackets raising their hands.
Flotilla organizers said on social media that the Israeli Navy had “illegally intercepted” several boats in international waters, calling it an “attack on unarmed humanitarians.” They also posted a video showing water cannons targeting boats. They said in a statement that Israel had stopped them in waters in which it had no jurisdiction.
The Israeli military said on Thursday that one boat was still far from the conflict zone, and that if it tried to approach Gaza it would be “prevented” from doing so. It was not clear how many boats had been part of the flotilla.
Israel’s foreign ministry said on social media on Wednesday night that “several vessels” had been “safely stopped.” Passengers will be transported to an Israeli port and deported, Israeli officials said. The ministry posted a video showing the climate activist Greta Thunberg — one of several high-profile participants in the flotilla — calmly engaging with a person wearing military gear as a boat was boarded.
Around the world, large protests were organized in support of the flotilla.
Who is on the flotilla?
The boats are part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, a group protesting Israel’s war in Gaza. The activists’ mission is to deliver food during the humanitarian crisis there.
The flotilla set sail from Spain in September and was joined by other vessels as it crossed the Mediterranean Sea. It carried about 500 people, according to Suhad Bishara, a lawyer with the Adalah legal center, which said it would represent the activists before the Israeli authorities. High-profile participants included Ms. Thunberg; Mandla Mandela, a grandson of Nelson Mandela; and lawmakers from Italy, which has been rocked by antiwar protests in recent weeks.
News of the interceptions sparked more protests in Italy, as well as in Belgium, Colombia, France, Germany, Greece, Malaysia, Mexico, Spain and Turkey, according to video and posts on social media. Italy’s largest labor union announced a general strike set for Friday to protest the interception.
On Wednesday night, President Gustavo Petro of Colombia announced the end of a free-trade agreement with Israel and the expulsion of Israel’s diplomatic delegation from Colombia. He said two Colombians were detained in international waters. Turkey’s foreign minister called the “attack” on the flotilla “an act of terrorism.”
France’s and Italy’s foreign ministers said they are working with the Israeli authorities to ensure the activists’ protection.
What is the group’s aim?
The activists say they want to break the siege on Gaza and open a humanitarian corridor to provide aid by sea. They also seek to raise awareness about suffering in the enclave, which has been under an Israeli blockade since shortly after Hamas seized power there in 2007.
Israel’s restrictions on goods entering Gaza have become more severe during the war, which began in response to the Hamas-led attack of Oct. 7, 2023. More than 65,000 Palestinians have been killed since the start of the conflict, according to the health authorities in Gaza, who do not distinguish between civilians and combatants.
Parts of the enclave have been suffering from famine in recent months, according to a United Nations-backed panel of food experts whose findings Israel has rejected.
A video posted by flotilla organizers Wednesday night shows Thiago Ávila, a Brazilian activist on the group’s steering committee, on one of the boats, responding to a demand by the Israeli authorities to turn back.
“We are a peaceful, nonviolent humanitarian mission,” Mr. Ávila says, adding that the group carried only food, medical supplies and items like water filters.
The activists had expected the encounter with Israeli forces. Videos have showed them training for nonviolent responses to encounters with Israeli commandos.
How has Israel responded?
Israel has said it will do whatever is necessary to keep the ships from reaching Gaza. It also has accused the flotilla of having ties to Hamas, allegations that the group’s organizers have denied.
On Wednesday night, the Israeli foreign ministry said the flotilla had been asked to “change course” because it was “approaching an active combat zone and violating a lawful naval blockade.”
The ministry has called on the group to deposit its aid at a port in Israel for delivery to Gaza.
The flotilla’s organizers have rejected the proposal as disingenuous and suggested that Israel was involved in jamming their communications and attacking them with drones as they sailed.
After those episodes, Italy and Spain sent naval ships to accompany the flotilla for parts of its journey, and Turkey had drones monitor the boats.
But as the flotilla drew closer to Gaza, Spanish officials urged it not to proceed. Italy’s prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, also called on the flotilla to turn back, saying that she feared it could undermine attempts to reach a peace deal.
Rawan Sheikh Ahmad contributed reporting.
Ephrat Livni is a Times reporter covering breaking news around the world. She is based in Washington.
Emma Bubola is a Times reporter based in Rome.
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