The Israeli Navy intercepted a flotilla made up of humanitarian boats headed to Gaza on Wednesday, detaining Swedish activist Greta Thunberg and others.
The fleet, called the Global Sumud Flotilla, set sail with more than 40 boats carrying humanitarian aid and about 500 activists from around the world.
The organizers say their mission is to challenge Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza and deliver aid to Palestinians facing severe shortages.
Highlights
- Israeli Navy intercepted dozens of Global Sumud Flotilla boats, detaining Greta Thunberg and other activists.
- Activists said Israeli forces jammed their communications and hacked radios, playing ABBA songs as a form of "psychological operations."
- Only one flotilla boat reached Palestinian waters; international leaders and countries condemned Israel's interception of the flotilla.
The Israeli Navy has intercepted Gaza aid ships and detained Greta Thunberg
Image credits: Mario Wurzburger/Getty Images
Video from the Mediterranean showed Israeli naval vessels surrounding the boats about 75 miles from Gaza’s coast.
Soldiers boarded several ships and escorted passengers away. Thunberg was filmed sitting on the deck while her belongings were handed back to her before being taken into custody.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry confirmed the detention. “Already several vessels of the Hamas-Sumud flotilla have been safely stopped and their passengers are being transferred to an Israeli port,” it posted on X. “Greta and her friends are safe and healthy.”
Activists said Israeli forces jammed their livestreams and communication systems as they approached.
Some reported that their radios had been hacked to play Swedish pop group ABBA, which they described as “psychological operations.”
Greg Stoker, an American veteran, posted a shaky video on Instagram, wearing a red life jacket.
“They are currently hailing our vessels, telling us to turn off our engines and await further instructions, or our boats will be seized and we will face the consequences,” he said.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said the detainees would be taken to the port of Ashdod, from where they will be expelled from Israel. He added that Israel had promised not to use violence.
More than 39 boats carrying aid and activists were intercepted
Image credits: Global Sumud Flotilla Commentary/X
In June, Thunberg traveled on a ship called the Madleen with 11 other people. The ship was intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters, and Thunberg was detained and deported, while other passengers were held in Israeli custody.
The passengers, especially Thunberg, were not permitted to sleep. Israeli agents would turn up the music and dance if anyone fell asleep, a French doctor aboard the ship reported.
This time around, Israel had planned to throw Thunberg in a terror cell.
“To the antisemitic Greta and her friends who echo Hamas propaganda, I say clearly: You’d better turn back–because you will not reach Gaza. Israel will act against any attempt to break the blockade or to assist terrorist organizations – by sea, by air, and by land,” Defense Minister Israel Katz said during Thunberg’s first attempt to sail to Gaza.
Image credits: Global Sumud Flotilla
Israel has enforced a naval blockade around Gaza since 2007, saying it is necessary to prevent dual-use goods from reaching Hamas.
The activists argued that the blockade violates international law and worsens the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where food, medicine, and fuel are in short supply.
Boats in the flotilla displayed banners reading “Free Palestine.”
The activists argue that Israel’s blockade of Gaza violates international law
Image credits: Niccolo Celesti/Getty Images
“When our governments fail to step up, the people will take their place, and their atrocities and their complicity in the genocide in Gaza right now … is not something that we can stand for,” Thunberg, one of the most recognizable passengers, said before departing.
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who has been critical of Israel, supported the activists.
“We must remember it is a humanitarian mission that wouldn’t be taking place if the Israeli government had allowed for the entry of aid,” he said.
Pakistan, Brazil, and Turkey also condemned Israel’s operation. Brazil’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the country “deplores the Israeli government’s military action, which violates rights and endangers the physical wellbeing of peaceful protesters.”
The Independent reported that Israeli forces have intercepted 39 boats carrying activists and aid to Gaza. TRT World reported that one boat, Mikeno, managed to reach Palestinian waters.
Only one boat reportedly managed to reach Palestinian waters
Image credits: Global Sumud Flotilla
The Global Sumud Flotilla’s live tracker shows that only four of its vessels are believed to be still sailing.
“They are determined,” flotilla spokesperson Saif Abukeshek said of the remaining vessels earlier today. “They are motivated, and they are doing everything within their hands to be able to break the siege by this early morning.”