Israeli Forces Intercept Final Vessel of Global Sumud Flotilla Near Gaza

Israeli forces intercepted the Marinette, the last vessel of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), which was carrying humanitarian supplies and international activists to Gaza. The interception occurred at around 10:29 am local time, approximately 42.5 nautical miles from Gaza.

Details of the Interception

• Livestreams and tracker data confirmed the boarding of the Polish-flagged vessel by Israeli forces, effectively ending the flotilla’s mission after more than 38 hours at sea.

• The Marinette had six passengers on board and had previously experienced engine trouble, later resolved. Organisers said the ship “refuses to turn back” despite interception.

• Israel stated that all 42 flotilla vessels have been seized, and hundreds of civilians from 47 countries are now detained.

Response from Israel

• Israel’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that four Italian activists have already been deported, with remaining detainees in the process of deportation.

• The ministry maintained that detainees are “safe and in good health” and dismissed the flotilla as a provocation, claiming aid could have been delivered through official channels.

• Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir publicly accused the detained activists of supporting terrorists, showing photos claiming flotilla boats were “completely empty.”

Activist Response

• Detained flotilla participants, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, have begun an open-ended hunger strike in protest of their detention.

• Organisers emphasised that the mission aimed to highlight the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and maintain that their peaceful objectives were undermined by the interception.

Global Reactions

• Amnesty International condemned the interception as a “calculated act of intimidation”, demanding the immediate release of all detainees and describing the flotilla as a peaceful humanitarian mission.

• Belgium summoned the Israeli ambassador, calling the interception in international waters “unacceptable.”

• Qatar denounced the action as a violation of international law and demanded an urgent investigation and safe delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

London Solidarity Rally

• Hundreds protested in central London, waving Palestinian flags and calling for the release of flotilla participants. Police blocked the march toward Trafalgar Square and made several arrests.

Legal Concerns

• The Adalah legal center reported that deportation and detention hearings in Ashdod were conducted without access to lawyers, raising serious concerns about due process violations for detainees.

The interception of the Marinette marks the end of the GSF flotilla mission, but organisers vowed that their efforts to challenge the Gaza blockade and highlight the humanitarian crisis will continue.