Gaza/Jerusalem, October 2, 2025: Israeli forces on Thursday intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla in the Mediterranean Sea, seizing 39 vessels and detaining nearly 500 international activists, including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg and Pakistan’s former senator Mushtaq Ahmed.
Organisers said one vessel was still attempting to reach Gaza. The flotilla, which departed in late August, carried food and medical supplies for Palestinians under blockade. It comprised more than 40 civilian boats with parliamentarians, lawyers, and human rights defenders from 37 countries.
Live footage from the convoy showed Israeli commandos in helmets and night-vision gear boarding ships as passengers in life jackets stood with their hands raised. A video released by Israel’s Foreign Ministry showed Thunberg seated on deck, surrounded by soldiers.
Israeli authorities confirmed the activists had been taken into custody and transferred to Israel, from where they would be deported to Europe.
The raid triggered widespread demonstrations in Italy, Colombia, Ireland, Greece, and Turkey. Italian labour unions announced a nationwide strike on Friday, while rights groups demanded an independent probe into the arrests, alleged abuses, and denial of humanitarian aid.
Observers described the Sumud Flotilla as the most significant challenge yet to Israel’s blockade of Gaza. Turkey, Spain, and Italy had earlier deployed vessels and drones to monitor the convoy amid repeated Israeli warnings to turn back.
Despite the crackdown, flotilla organisers vowed to press ahead. In a statement on X, they said:
“Breaking the siege was always possible. The whole world is complicit in watching the Gaza genocide and doing nothing.”
Activists reportedly refused to accept food offered by Israeli forces, while flotilla organisers urged global protests and pledged to escalate their campaign against the blockade.
Tracking data indicated that by early Thursday morning, 20 of the flotilla’s 44 vessels had already been seized.
