Israeli naval forces intercepted a Gaza-bound aid flotilla on Thursday, October 2, 2025, detaining dozens of activists, including Greta Thunberg, after boarding vessels in the eastern Mediterranean. Officials said the boats were attempting to breach Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry said the detainees were safe and would be transferred to Israel for deportation. Footage from the operation showed soldiers with night-vision gear boarding small craft as the flotilla neared the exclusion area.
The effort, organized under the banner of the Global Sumud Flotilla, initially involved more than 40 boats and several hundred participants.
Interception at sea
Organizers said the mission aimed to deliver symbolic aid and to challenge maritime restrictions off Gaza’s coast.
As the flotilla drew closer to the patrol zone, Israeli navy craft shadowed the boats, then moved to board multiple vessels in quick succession. Photos and surveillance clips released after the operation showed troops climbing aboard and directing passengers to sit with hands visible.
Officials said passengers would undergo identity checks and medical evaluations before deportation to Europe.
High-profile detainees and remaining vessel
Authorities identified several high-profile passengers among those detained, including former Barcelona Mayor Ada Colau and European Parliament member Rima Hassan. One vessel continued toward Gaza after most boats were stopped, but organizers later reported losing contact when it was a few miles off the coast.
Israeli officials said any additional boats attempting to approach the enclave would also be diverted or boarded to prevent entry into an active combat zone.
In public statements, Israel said the enforcement action was necessary to uphold the blockade and to prevent attempts to enter an area it considers a combat theater. Officials reiterated that humanitarian assistance should be routed through established mechanisms that coordinate deliveries into Gaza.
Organizers countered that the flotilla’s size was designed to make a complete interception harder and said passengers were trained in nonviolent methods. They argued the convoy carried medical supplies and sought to open a civilian maritime corridor.
Protests in multiple cities
Demonstrations followed the interception in several cities, including Rome, Naples, Istanbul, Athens and Buenos Aires. Italy’s largest trade union announced a one-day general strike for Friday in protest.
Governments requested information about their nationals, and European officials sought consular access for detained lawmakers and citizens.
The incident renewed debate over the legality and humanitarian impact of the maritime restrictions, which critics say contribute to Gaza’s isolation while Israel maintains they are required to curb weapons smuggling.
Passenger lists circulated by organizers indicated participation from multiple European countries and Latin America, along with journalists and legal observers. Photos released by Israeli authorities showed Thunberg being escorted by troops after the boarding.
Legal teams working with the organizers said they would challenge detentions and the diversion of civilian vessels, with the details likely to hinge on the precise location of the interceptions and any warnings given at sea.
