Israel Intercepts 13 Gaza-Bound Boats, 30 More En Route; Global Protests Break Out

"Several vessels of the Hamas-Sumud flotilla have been safely stopped and their passengers are being transferred to an Israeli port," the Israeli foreign ministry said on X. "Greta and her friends are safe and healthy."

The Global Sumud Flotilla, a humanitarian mission transporting medicine and food to Gaza, consists of over 40 civilian boats with around 500 parliamentarians, lawyers, and activists. Organisers released videos on Telegram showing individuals aboard holding passports, claiming they were taken to Israel against their will, and reiterating the mission’s non-violent humanitarian purpose.

The flotilla has become a high-profile symbol of opposition to Israel’s blockade of Gaza. Its journey across the Mediterranean drew international attention, prompting countries including Turkey, Spain, and Italy to deploy boats or drones in case their nationals needed assistance, even as Israel repeatedly warned the vessels to turn back.

Countries Condemn Israel

Turkey, Malaysia and Colombia were among countries who condemned Israel. Turkey's foreign ministry called Israel’s actions “an act of terror” that endangered civilian lives. Colombian President Gustavo Petro ordered the expulsion of Israel’s diplomatic delegation after two Colombians were detained and condemned the detentions as a potential “new international crime” by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Protests Break Out In Italy, Colombia

The interception has sparked protests in Italy and Colombia. Italian unions called a general strike in solidarity with the flotilla.

Israeli authorities maintained the flotilla was approaching an active combat zone and violating a lawful blockade, offering to transfer any aid through safe channels instead.

The flotilla’s organisers condemned the raid as a "war crime," stating that military forces used water cannons but caused no physical harm. "Multiple vessels ... were illegally intercepted and boarded by Israeli Occupation Forces in international waters," the organisers said. The 13 boats were about 70 nautical miles from Gaza when stopped, while 30 vessels remained 46 nautical miles from their destination and continued their journey, organisers said.

Israeli officials, including ambassador Jonathan Peled, criticised the mission. "This systematic refusal (to hand over the aid) demonstrates that the objective is not humanitarian, but provocative," he wrote on X.

Thirty more boats remain undeterred and continue sailing toward Gaza, with organisers saying their mission will carry on.