The Israeli military intercepted a nine-boat flotilla in the Mediterranean Sea early Wednesday as it attempted to break Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza, detaining more than 140 activists on board, according to flotilla organizers and Israel’s Foreign Ministry.
The ministry said 145 activists — all reported to be in good health — were being transported to Israel for processing and were expected to be deported soon.
The latest interception followed an earlier attempt last week, when more than 40 boats carrying nearly 450 activists — including European lawmakers and climate activist Greta Thunberg — were stopped while trying to reach Gaza with symbolic humanitarian supplies. That flotilla, part of the Global Sumud initiative, sparked international condemnation, mass protests in several major cities, and a one-day strike across Italy.
Organizers of Wednesday’s flotilla, a joint effort by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition and the Thousand Madleens to Gaza group, denounced the detentions as “arbitrary and unlawful.” The vessels, carrying limited food and medical aid intended for Gaza hospitals, had on board doctors, politicians, and three Turkish lawmakers.
“Another futile attempt to breach the legal naval blockade and enter a combat zone ended in nothing,” the Israeli Foreign Ministry posted on X.
Organizers said the flotilla was intercepted about 120 nautical miles off Gaza’s coast. Footage shared by them showed fast-moving Israeli vessels surrounding the boats before troops boarded them. No injuries were reported.
Some of the activists deported after last week’s interception have alleged mistreatment by Israeli guards — accusations that Israeli authorities deny.
The renewed flotilla attempts come amid mounting global criticism of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, where months of relentless bombardment have devastated large areas and killed tens of thousands of people.
Israel and Hamas are currently engaged in the third day of indirect ceasefire talks in Egypt’s Sharm el-Sheikh, joined by senior officials from the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey.
The war began after Hamas launched a deadly assault on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing about 1,200 people and abducting 251 others. Forty-eight hostages remain in Gaza, around 20 of them believed to be alive.
Israel’s subsequent offensive has killed more than 67,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. The ministry — part of the Hamas-run administration — says women and children account for roughly half of the casualties.
Israel has enforced varying degrees of blockade on Gaza since Hamas seized control in 2007, arguing it is necessary to contain the militant group. Critics, however, condemn the blockade as a form of collective punishment.
After the war began, Israel tightened the blockade further, sealing off food, medicine, and essential goods for two and a half months, contributing to Gaza’s worsening famine.
Flotilla organizers say their goal is to challenge Israel’s blockade and establish a maritime humanitarian corridor, as land routes have failed to deliver sufficient aid to the besieged enclave.
Source: AP