Israeli forces have intercepted 13 vessels of the Global Sumud Flotilla, a humanitarian convoy carrying aid for Palestinians in Gaza, detaining more than 200 human rights activists from 37 countries.
The flotilla’s spokesperson, Saif Abukeshek, confirmed the development in an Instagram post, stating that the detained activists included 30 Spaniards, 22 Italians, 21 Turks, and 12 Malaysians among others.
Despite the detentions, Saif said the mission continues: “Nearly 30 of our boats are still maneuvering away from Israeli military ships and pushing towards Gaza’s coast. They are determined, inspired, and doing everything to break the blockade by dawn.”
The Israeli navy confronted the flotilla about 129 km off the Gaza coast late Wednesday night, halting at least eight boats, including Deir Yassin, Hyuga, Spectre, Adara, Alma, Sirius, Aurora, and Grandi Blue. Reuters, however, reported that 13 vessels were stopped.
Among those detained was Swedish activist Greta Thunberg. Israel’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that several flotilla boats were “safely stopped” and that passengers, including Greta, were being taken to an Israeli port “safe and in good health.”
The Global Sumud Flotilla is part of an international effort to deliver aid to Gaza by sea, consisting of more than 40 civilian boats with around 500 participants from 44 countries, including members of the European Parliament, lawyers, rights activists, doctors, and journalists from the US, Spain, Ireland, France, Belgium, and other nations.
The first flotilla departed from Barcelona on August 31, followed by additional boats joining between September 13–15 from Tunisia and Italy’s Sicily, and later from Greece’s Syros Island.
