Why Israel seized Gaza aid flotilla: What happened and why it matters

Dubai: Israeli naval forces mounted one of their largest interception operations in years late Wednesday, boarding dozens of boats from the Global Sumud Flotilla as it attempted to break the blockade of Gaza.

The flotilla, made up of more than 40 civilian vessels carrying around 500 activists from across the world, had drawn global attention for its size and its symbolism: a direct challenge to Israel’s naval cordon around Gaza, in place since 2009.

By Thursday morning, organisers said they had lost contact with 39 boats — many forcibly boarded by Israeli troops, others cut off mid-transmission — while one vessel briefly made it close to Gaza’s shoreline before communications went silent. Israel confirmed dozens of detentions, including high-profile figures such as Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, former Barcelona mayor Ada Colau and European Parliament member Rima Hassan.

The operation unfolded in international waters and was streamed live by activists until their signals were jammed. Video clips showed Israeli naval vessels using water cannon and bright searchlights before soldiers climbed aboard. Organisers described the mission as peaceful and humanitarian, carrying only symbolic amounts of food and medicine. Israel said the detainees were safe, in good health, and would be deported.

Here’s a breakdown of what happened, why it matters, and how governments and activists around the world have reacted.

On Wednesday, Israeli naval forces intercepted and boarded a flotilla of boats attempting to break the blockade of Gaza. According to the flotilla organisers, at least 13 vessels were first targeted about 70 nautical miles (130km) off the enclave’s coast, with communications cut and signals jammed.

By early Thursday, flotilla trackers said 39 boats had been intercepted in total. Organisers reported that Israeli forces detained many activists on board and towed the vessels to Israeli ports. They also lost contact with one remaining boat whose last coordinates showed it to be only a few miles from Gaza's shores, inside territorial waters.

The flotilla, called the Global Sumud Flotilla, was carrying around 500 people from 44 countries on more than 40 boats. Participants included parliamentarians, lawyers, activists, and high-profile figures such as Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg.

Organisers said their mission was to establish a maritime corridor to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, despite carrying only a symbolic amount of supplies. They argued the main goal was to draw international attention to Gaza’s acute humanitarian crisis after nearly two years of war.

Israel released videos warning the flotilla that it was entering a restricted, blockaded zone. In one clip, a woman in military uniform, speaking on behalf of the Israeli navy, told activists that any aid destined for Gaza must go through established channels.

The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs later posted footage showing Greta Thunberg on board a vessel surrounded by soldiers. The ministry said: “Several vessels of the Hamas-Sumud flotilla have been safely stopped and their passengers are being transferred to an Israeli port. Greta and her friends are safe and healthy.”

Israel’s ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, said activists would be deported after the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur, which left courts and prisons closed, creating a temporary limbo for detainees.

Israel has long maintained that its naval blockade is necessary to prevent weapons from being smuggled into Gaza. Authorities also accused some flotilla organisers of links to Hamas, though no evidence has yet been presented publicly to support this claim.

Organisers strongly rejected Israel’s accusations. Saif Abukeshek, spokesperson for the Global Sumud Flotilla, said more than 201 people from 37 countries were on board the boats first intercepted. He claimed Israeli naval forces deliberately disrupted communications to block distress signals and prevent livestreaming of the boarding.

The group described the raid as an “illegal act in international waters” and a “war crime”, though it said no one was harmed during the operation. Videos released on Telegram showed some activists holding up passports and declaring they had been taken to Israel against their will.

Yes. Attempts to break the blockade of Gaza by sea date back to at least 2010.

The Global Sumud Flotilla is the largest such effort in years, with dozens of boats and hundreds of international participants.

The interceptions have triggered a wave of condemnation:

Protests erupted in several cities, including Rome, Athens, Buenos Aires, Brussels, Berlin, and Istanbul, with some unions in Italy calling for a general strike.

Israel has indicated that detained activists will be deported once the Yom Kippur holiday concludes. The flotilla organisers say that some vessels remain at sea and intend to continue their journey, though further interceptions are expected.

The episode has once again placed Israel’s blockade of Gaza under global scrutiny. Supporters say the flotilla highlights the desperate humanitarian situation, while Israel insists the blockade is essential for security.