The Israeli navy has reportedly intercepted vessels carrying aid to Gaza, detaining activists including Swedish climate advocate Greta Thunberg.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that several ships participating in the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) were “safely stopped,” and those onboard are being transferred to an Israeli port.
The ministry stated the navy had directed the vessels to alter course, citing their approach to “an active combat zone.”
In response, the GSF characterized the interception as “illegal” and “not an act of defence” but rather “a brazen act of desperation.”
The GSF alleges that one of its vessels was “deliberately rammed at sea” and further claims that additional boats were targeted with water cannons.
“It clearly reveals the extreme lengths to which the occupier will go to ensure Gaza remains starved and isolated,” the GSF asserted on social media.
“They will attack a peaceful civilian mission because the success of humanitarian aid means the failure of their siege.”
The Israeli Foreign Ministry maintains that the flotilla was informed of “violating a lawful naval blockade” surrounding the waters adjacent to Gaza, though it remains unclear whether the boats had breached the blockade zone.
The ministry released footage of the interception, showing Ms. Thunberg on deck, receiving water and a jacket from an Israeli military member.
Live streams from the boats suggest that not all 44 vessels have been boarded and evacuated.
The Israeli government, which has labelled the GSF’s attempt to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza as a “provocation,” stated: “Greta and her friends are safe and healthy.”
The GSF has reported the interception and boarding of multiple ships, including the Alma, Surius, and Adara.
Prior to the interception, the GSF accused the Israeli military of “intentionally damaging ship communications, in an attempt to block distress signals and stop the livestream of their illegal boat boarding.”
The organization stated that the flotilla was 70 nautical miles from Gaza’s shoreline when the intervention occurred and had hoped to reach Gaza on Thursday morning.
Israel has previously blocked two attempts by activists to deliver aid by sea to Gaza in June and July.
While the Israeli government has described the flotilla as a “selfie yacht”, Ms. Thunberg refuted this characterization, telling the BBC on Sunday: “I don’t think anyone would risk their life for a publicity stunt.”
International aid agencies have been attempting to deliver food and medicine to Gaza but have reported restrictions on the flow of supplies imposed by Israel.
Israel asserts that it is working to prevent supplies from reaching Hamas. It and the U.S. have supported an alternative food distribution system, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which the UN has declined to cooperate with, citing ethical concerns regarding its establishment.
A UN-backed group confirmed last month that famine was present in Gaza, with the UN’s humanitarian chief attributing it to Israel’s “systematic obstruction” of aid entering the territory.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed this claim as an “outright lie.”
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot stated that France had ensured “that any possible boarding operation would take place under the best possible security conditions.”
Italy’s foreign minister said he had received assurances from Israel that its armed forces would not use violence against the 500 people aboard, including French and Italian politicians.
Antonio Tajani stated: “The boarding was planned, we are talking about it… with [Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon] Saar so that there would be no violent actions on the part of the Tel Aviv armed forces, and this has been assured to me.”
Simon Harris, Ireland’s tánaiste (deputy prime minister), said his country “expects international law to be upheld and all those on board the flotilla to be treated in strict accordance with it.”
In Gaza, Israel is reportedly intensifying its offensive on Gaza City as Hamas considers a new US proposal to end the conflict. Arab and Turkish mediators are reportedly urging Hamas to respond positively, although a senior Hamas official indicated the group is likely to reject it.
Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz issued a final warning to Palestinians in the city to evacuate southwards, saying those who remained would be considered “terrorists and supporters of terror.”
The International Committee of the Red Cross affirmed that “under international humanitarian law, civilians must be protected whether they stay or leave Gaza City.”
The defence minister warns Palestinians to leave, saying those remaining will be considered “terrorists and supporters of terror”.
The plan is a significant moment – but it lacks the nuts and bolts that determine whether diplomatic agreements hold together, or don’t.
Dr Mohammed Abu Mughaisib, who worked in hospitals in Gaza for two years, says Israeli strikes have made conditions “indescribable” for colleagues still there.
A senior Hamas figure told the BBC the group is likely to reject Trump’s Gaza peace plan, saying it “serves Israel’s interests”.
People in Gaza and Jerusalem share their reactions to the US president’s new strategy for ending the war.