Israel seizes all boats in Gaza-bound aid flotilla, organizers say

The Global Sumud Flotilla, a humanitarian mission attempting to break Israel’s blockade on Gaza, announced on Tuesday that Israeli forces had seized all boats in its aid convoy. “We are awaiting more information about their illegal abduction,” organizers said in a Telegram statement, vowing to continue their mission for Palestine and calling on people to “demand safe passage” by emailing their foreign ministers. The convoy’s crisis management team said Israeli forces had seized the Lina Al-Nabulsi, the last remaining vessel. A total of 50 vessels carrying 428 people from 44 countries, including 78 Turkish citizens, were intercepted.

Israeli response and flotilla background

The Israeli Foreign Ministry posted on X that all activists have been transferred to Israeli vessels and are on their way to Israel, where they will be able to meet with consular representatives. The flotilla, comprising 54 boats, had departed from the Turkish district of Marmaris on Thursday. This is not the first such incident: in late April, Israeli forces attacked flotilla boats in international waters off Crete, a convoy that included 345 participants from 39 countries. The latest seizure marks a complete interception of the mission.

Humanitarian context

Israel has imposed a crippling blockade on Gaza since 2007, leaving the territory’s 2.4 million people near starvation. A two-year Israeli offensive that began in October 2023 has killed over 72,000 Palestinians, injured more than 172,000, and caused massive destruction.