TEL AVIV – The Israeli navy intercepted the last vessel in an international aid flotilla bound for Gaza on Friday, completing a series of operations that stopped 42 boats attempting to breach the blockade of the enclave.
The Marinette, the final boat in the Global Sumud Flotilla, was seized about 42.5 nautical miles (79 km) from Gaza and redirected to Ashdod port, Israeli army radio reported. Organisers said all vessels carrying humanitarian aid and volunteers had now been blocked.
“Israeli naval forces have now illegally intercepted all 42 of our vessels—each carrying humanitarian aid, volunteers, and the determination to break Israel’s illegal siege on Gaza,” the flotilla said in a statement.
A live broadcast from the Marinette showed activists holding up a handwritten note reading, “We see a ship! It’s a warship,” as Israeli forces approached. Video then captured soldiers boarding, ordering those aboard to raise their hands and remain still.
The interception followed the detention of around 450 activists on Thursday, including Swedish campaigner Greta Thunberg. Israel’s foreign ministry confirmed Friday that four Italians had already been deported, while the rest of the detainees were “in the process of being deported.” The ministry said all participants were “safe and in good health.”
The flotilla set sail in late August in an attempt to challenge Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza, imposed nearly two years ago after Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attacks. Israel has repeatedly defended the blockade as a legal measure, warning flotilla organisers that they were entering an “active combat zone.” It had offered to transfer aid directly to Gaza but labelled the flotilla a political stunt.
At Ashdod port on Thursday night, Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir described the detained activists as “terrorists” in a video statement. Some of those seated on the ground were heard shouting “Free Palestine” in response.
The flotilla’s interception has sparked widespread protests abroad. Demonstrations erupted Thursday in European cities, as well as in Karachi, Buenos Aires, and Mexico City. In Italy, tens of thousands joined a day-long general strike in support of the flotilla.
One vessel docked separately in Cyprus, carrying 21 foreigners. Authorities there said it requested to refuel and cited humanitarian reasons for entering Larnaca.
The operation comes as Israel faces mounting international scrutiny over its war in Gaza, which has killed more than 66,000 people, according to Palestinian health authorities. The offensive began after Hamas-led militants killed about 1,200 people and took 251 hostage in Israel on October 7, 2023.
Israel is also defending itself against genocide allegations at the International Court of Justice, a charge it rejects, saying its military campaign is an act of self-defence.
This week, Israel accepted a new U.S.-backed proposal to end the war, which would require Hamas to surrender. U.S. President Donald Trump has said Washington would temporarily oversee governance of Gaza under the plan and warned Hamas that the siege would continue if the group refuses the terms.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
