A group of activists sailing on a flotilla towards Gaza reported on Wednesday that the Israeli navy had intercepted three of their boats as they neared the besieged Palestinian territory. Israeli authorities confirmed the safety of the activists, including prominent figure Greta Thunberg, who were being transferred to Israel.
The Global Sumud Flotilla, consisting of almost 50 boats and 500 activists, is carrying a symbolic amount of humanitarian aid destined for Gaza. The interception took place approximately 130 kilometers off the coast of Gaza, as indicated by organizers who provided real-time updates on the flotilla’s positions.
About twelve naval vessels approached the flotilla with their transponders turned off, according to Greg Stoker, an American veteran on one of the other boats.
“They are currently contacting our vessels, instructing us to shut off our engines and await further directions, warning that our boats may be seized with consequences to follow,” he mentioned in a video posted on Instagram. Reports from Stoker and other activists on social media indicated that Israeli authorities used water cannons against some of the boats.
The group, which includes individuals such as Mandla Mandela, the grandson of Nelson Mandela, former Barcelona mayor Ada Colau, and various European lawmakers, expressed determination in their mission to challenge the Israeli blockade and provide assistance to Palestinians.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry shared a video on X displaying Thunberg on a ship’s deck receiving a water bottle and raincoat, affirming her well-being. “Greta and her companions are safe and in good health,” stated the Israeli Foreign Ministry.
Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani communicated that the Israeli operation was expected to last between two to three hours. He informed state TV Rai that the boats would be towed to Israel’s Ashdod port, and the activists would be deported in the following days. Tajani also assured that Israeli forces were instructed not to resort to violence.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry released a video on Wednesday, verified by Reuters, that appeared to show Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg surrounded by several masked and armed soldiers. The video accompanied a post by the ministry on X in which it said several vessels of the Gaza aid flotilla were stopped and their passengers were being transferred to an Israeli port.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry strongly condemned Israel’s interception of the boats, labeling it as an “act of terrorism” and a serious violation of international law. The ministry announced that it was taking steps to secure the immediate release of Turkish citizens and other passengers detained by Israeli forces.
‘Danger zone’
The vessels were sailing in international waters north of Egypt but had entered what activists and others referred to as a “danger zone” — an area where the Israeli navy had previously halted other boats attempting to breach its blockade, and which the flotilla had been cautioned not to cross.
Following a tense encounter with two Israeli military vessels earlier on Wednesday, activists resumed their voyage and streamed their journey live from several boats. Some activists displayed messages of solidarity with Gaza residents and chanted “Free Palestine!” on camera, with background music audible.
As night approached, radar detected several unidentified vessels closing in on them, prompting activists to don life vests in anticipation of the imminent arrival of the Israeli