Global outcry as Israel stops Gaza-bound flotilla

World leaders and rights groups yesterday condemned Israel’s interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla, as a relentless assault on Gaza killed 77 more Palestinians.

Armed Israeli soldiers boarded around 45 ships that were attempting to break a naval blockade to deliver aid to the Palestinian enclave, arresting more than 400 foreign activists, including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg. All but one of the two dozen vessels of the flotilla have now been seized.

Meanwhile, protests supporting the Gaza flotilla and the cause of Palestinians were held in several countries, including Spain, Italy, Argentina, Malaysia and Colombia.

Israel said it would deport the detained pro-Palestinian activists, adding that none of the vessels had breached its maritime blockade of the territory.

The Global Sumud Flotilla of around 45 vessels began its voyage last month, with politicians and activists, to Gaza, where the United Nations says famine has set in.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said he expected the members of the flotilla to be expelled from Israel on Monday and Tuesday and sent to European capitals on charter flights.

“All the passengers are safe and in good health,” the Israeli foreign ministry said on X after they began to be taken ashore in Ashdod.

“One last vessel of this provocation remains at a distance. If it approaches, its attempt to enter an active combat zone and breach the blockade will also be prevented.”

The Global Samud Flotilla later said the vessel’s name is Marinette, and it is “still sailing strong”.

Meanwhile, Conscience, a ship carrying renowned Bangladeshi photographer and rights activist Shahidul Alam, was still sailing towards Gaza, according to the photographer’s Facebook page.

According to social media, Bangladeshi-origin British human rights activist and health specialist Ruhi Loren Akhtar is also taking part in the flotilla.

With the war in Gaza dragging on, solidarity with the Palestinians has grown globally, with activists and, increasingly, governments condemning Israel for its conduct.

Rights group Amnesty International criticised Israel for blocking the flotilla, saying it was an “act of intimidation intended to punish and silence critics of Israel’s genocide and its unlawful blockade on Gaza”.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) also criticised Israel for seizing news workers travelling with the flotilla. The media watchdog said it identified 32 journalists on board the vessels, but it remains unclear who has been detained by Israeli forces at sea.

The boats, with dozens of activists from around the world on board, initially set sail from several European ports. After a 10-day stop in Tunisia, where organisers reported two drone attacks, the flotilla resumed its journey on September 15.

Across Europe, thousands of protesters took to the streets in Dublin, Paris, Berlin and Geneva to condemn Israel’s interception of the flotilla. Rallies also took place in Buenos Aires, Mexico City and Karachi.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro said he will expel all remaining Israeli diplomats in the country over the interception.

Turkey called the interception “an act of terrorism,” and said it had opened an investigation after Israeli forces arrested Turkish citizens on board the flotilla.

Spain yesterday summoned Israel’s top representative in Madrid, the foreign minister said, saying that 65 Spaniards were travelling with the flotilla.

Israel blocked similar flotilla attempts in June and July.