Israel Intercepts Gaza Flotilla, Detains 140 Activists

Israel Intercepts Gaza Flotilla, Detains 140 Activists

Israeli forces 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 organisers and the Israeli Foreign Ministry.

The ministry said 145 activists — all reported to be in good health — were being taken to Israel for processing and were expected to be deported soon.

This marks the second such interception in less than a week. Last week, Israeli naval forces stopped more than 40 boats carrying nearly 450 activists — including European lawmakers and climate campaigner Greta Thunberg — as they attempted to reach Gaza with symbolic humanitarian supplies. That flotilla, part of the Global Sumud initiative, triggered international condemnation, protests in several major cities, and a nationwide strike in Italy.

Organisers of Wednesday’s flotilla, a collaboration between the Freedom Flotilla Coalition and Thousand Madleens to Gaza, condemned the detentions as “arbitrary and unlawful.” The vessels were carrying small quantities of food and medical supplies for Gaza hospitals and 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 wrote on X.

Organisers said the flotilla was intercepted about 120 nautical miles off Gaza’s coast. Video clips shared online showed Israeli naval vessels encircling the boats before troops boarded them. No injuries were reported during the operation.

Several activists deported after last week’s interception alleged mistreatment by Israeli guards, claims that Israeli authorities have denied.

The renewed flotilla efforts come amid growing global criticism of Israel’s ongoing military offensive in Gaza, which has devastated much of the territory and killed tens of thousands of people.

Israel and Hamas are currently 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 conflict erupted on 7 October 2023, when Hamas launched a deadly assault on southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people and abducting 251 others. Israel says 48 hostages remain in Gaza, with about 20 believed to be alive.

Israel’s retaliatory offensive has killed more than 67,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. The ministry says women and children make up roughly half of the casualties.

Israel has maintained varying levels of blockade on Gaza since Hamas seized control in 2007, saying it is necessary to limit the group’s military capabilities. Critics, however, describe it as collective punishment against Gaza’s 2.3 million residents.

Since the war began, Israel has further tightened the blockade, severely restricting food, medicine, and other essentials — worsening what aid agencies call a man-made famine.

Flotilla organisers said their mission aimed to challenge Israel’s blockade and call for a maritime humanitarian corridor, arguing that land routes have failed to deliver sufficient aid to Gaza’s besieged population.