Israeli forces intercepted 14 boats from the Global Sumud Flotilla carrying humanitarian aid and foreign passengers bound for Gaza, flotilla organisers confirmed on Thursday, October 2.
The flotilla, comprising more than 40 civilian vessels carrying approximately 500 activists, lawyers, and parliamentarians, was transporting food and medicine to the war-torn enclave.
“Several vessels of the Hamas-Sumud flotilla have been safely stopped and their passengers are being transferred to an Israeli port,” the Israeli foreign ministry confirmed publicly.
A video released by the Israeli foreign ministry showed soldiers boarding the boats and detaining passengers before transferring them to an Israeli port.
Flotilla organisers reported that while 14 vessels were stopped, 23 others continued to sail towards Gaza despite repeated warnings.
UN Condemns Israeli Interception
The United Nations Human Rights Office condemned the action, saying it contravened international law and humanitarian principles.
“Any attempt to block the flotilla would constitute a grave violation of international law and humanitarian principles,” UN experts said in a statement.
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They added that the flotilla was the result of the international community’s failure to end what they described as Israel’s “unlawful blockade of Gaza” and the catastrophic humanitarian crisis it has produced.
Greece and Italy Call for Protection
Greece and Italy also issued a joint declaration, urging Israel to guarantee the safety of those on board while appealing to flotilla members to consider an alternative delivery channel.
“We, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic and the Italian Republic, appeal to the women and men of the flotilla to accept the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem’s offer to safely deliver aid intended in solidarity with the children, women, and men of Gaza,” the statement read.
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The two governments reaffirmed the need for humanitarian access and a ceasefire, noting that “everyone must refrain from initiatives that could be exploited by those who still reject peace.”
Rising Diplomatic Fallout
The seizure of the boats has sparked widespread condemnation across several nations. Turkey described the operation as “an act of terror” that endangered civilian lives.
The Istanbul chief prosecutor’s office launched an investigation into the detention of Turkish citizens aboard the flotilla.
In South America, Colombian President Gustavo Petro expelled the Israeli diplomatic delegation after two Colombians were among those detained.
Spain, Italy, and Turkey also deployed boats or drones to monitor the flotilla’s journey and safeguard their nationals.
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