The flotilla organisers said in a statement that Israeli forces boarded the ships violently, using water cannons, spraying activists with sewage water, and jamming their communications before towing the vessels to an Israeli port.
“The Israeli occupation intercepted the peaceful convoy in international waters and kidnapped hundreds of volunteers. More than 443 volunteers from 47 countries are being held illegally after Israel intercepted the flotilla,” the Global Sumud Flotilla said, calling the operation a “war crime and a flagrant violation of international law.”
The group demanded “immediate international intervention to guarantee the safety of volunteers aboard the flotilla and to secure their release.”
The flotilla, which started with around 44 and 500 activists, was carrying a symbolic amount of humanitarian aid to famine-stricken Gaza.
Organizers had been streaming its voyage online via live cameras aboard different boats, though connections were lost as Israeli authorities began intercepting them in international waters on Wednesday evening.
On Thursday, Israel’s foreign ministry said none of the vessels had managed to break the blockade of Gaza.
“One last vessel of this provocation remains at a distance. If it approaches, its attempt to enter an active combat zone and breach the blockade will also be prevented,” it said, adding that detained activists would be deported to Europe, without specifying which countries.
Israel’s Channel 13 reported that the vessels of the Global Sumud Flotilla have been brought to the navy base in the city of Ashdod.
Global backlash
Governments across the world reacted with outrage at Israel’s assault, which came amid mounting international anger over its ongoing genocidal war on Gaza.
Belgium's foreign minister, Maxime Prevot, slammed as "unacceptable" Israel's interception of pro-Palestinian activists on an aid flotilla headed towards Gaza, saying he has summoned the Israeli ambassador.
"The manner in which they were boarded and the location in international waters are unacceptable, which is why I summoned the ambassador," Prevot told lawmakers in Brussels.
Spain summoned Israel’s top representative in Madrid, with Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares confirming that 65 Spaniards were on board the flotilla.
Brazil’s foreign ministry condemned the assault, noting that Brazilian citizens were among those detained, including leftist MP Luizianne Lins.
South Africa demanded the activists’ release, highlighting that Mandla Mandela, grandson of Nelson Mandela, was among the detainees.
President Cyril Ramaphosa said the interception was “further proof of Israel’s ongoing violations of international law.”
Italy said 22 of its citizens were detained, including two members of parliament and two members of the European Parliament.
Turkey reacted strongly, with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan accusing Israel of “brutality.”
“This attack by the Israeli government against civilians sailing in international waters has once again shown the madness of its genocidal leaders trying to hide their crimes against humanity in Gaza,” Erdoğan said, adding that the raid “reveals once again Israel’s brutality.”
The Istanbul prosecutor’s office launched a criminal probe into Israel’s actions, citing violations of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, including “deprivation of liberty, hijacking, aggravated looting, material damage, and torture.” Turkish media reported that 30 Turkish citizens were detained for deportation.
Kuwait’s Foreign Minister, Abdullah Al-Yahya, said his ministry is monitoring the situation of detained Kuwaiti nationals and working to secure their release.
Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim confirmed that 23 Malaysians were held, calling Israel’s actions “utter contempt not only for the rights of the Palestinian people but also for the conscience of the world.”
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the raid as a “heinous act,” writing on X: “Their crime was carrying aid for the suffering Palestinian people.”
Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced he would expel Israel’s diplomatic mission in Bogotá and terminate the Free Trade Agreement with Israel, describing the assault as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s “new international crime.” Two Colombian citizens were on board.
The flotilla also included high-profile figures such as climate activist Greta Thunberg, former Barcelona mayor Ada Colau, and European Parliament member Rima Hassan.
Britain’s Foreign Office said it was in contact with the families of detained British nationals and expressed concern over Israel’s actions.
The interception comes as the Israeli genocidal war on Gaza drags into its second year. More than 66,000 Palestinians have been killed, most of Gaza’s buildings reduced to rubble, and nearly the entire population displaced under an Israeli blockade that has also brought famine, killing scores of civilians.
The flotilla’s voyage, though symbolic in its humanitarian cargo, was a highly visible act of solidarity, uniting activists from nearly 50 countries.
For many governments and campaigners, the assault in international waters underscored Israel’s escalating violations of international law.
Short link: