Israeli naval forces have launched a large-scale attack on the Global Sumud Flotilla, an international aid convoy bound for the Gaza Strip, detaining at least 317 activists, the flotilla organizers confirmed Thursday, according to Turkey’s state-run Anadolu Agency.
The official flotilla tracker reported that Israel targeted 21 vessels, with suspicions that an additional 19 were also attacked. Four ships remain en route to Gaza. Reuters, however, reported that Israel has seized at least 39 ships in total.
According to the tracker, Israeli forces detained 317 activists from 21 vessels. The detainees include citizens of Spain, Italy, Brazil, Turkey, Greece, the United States, Germany, Sweden, the United Kingdom, France, and several other nations. Israel’s foreign ministry said on X (formerly Twitter) that those detained were being transported to Ashdod Port, from where they would be deported to Europe.
One vessel, Mikeno, reportedly entered Gaza’s regional waters but lost its tracking signal just 9.3 nautical miles from shore. Turkish activist Erdem Ozveren said their ship was less than 30 nautical miles (55 kilometers) from Gaza before losing communication.
Flotilla organizers said the Israeli navy surrounded the ships as they attempted to challenge Israel’s long-standing blockade on Gaza. Many vessels reportedly experienced signal jamming and communication blackouts during the assault. Rights activists posted videos on social media showing Israeli naval ships ordering the flotilla to change course.
In a statement on X, the Global Sumud Flotilla wrote, “Zionist forces are attacking us. After detaining several ships, emergency status has been declared across the flotilla. Our ships are being illegally seized, cameras have been shut off, and soldiers have boarded.”
The committee accused Israeli forces of violence, saying they rammed one vessel, used water cannons, and forcibly boarded others, brutally assaulting peace activists from over 50 countries.
Israel’s foreign ministry confirmed the detentions, saying activists were being taken to an Israeli port where the ships would be inspected before aid cargo was sent to Gaza. Channel 13 reported that seizing the entire flotilla could take all of Thursday.
The flotilla, which set sail in late August, carried humanitarian aid and medical supplies. It marked the first time in years that more than 50 ships set out together for Gaza, carrying 532 civilian supporters from over 45 countries.
Israel has maintained a blockade on Gaza for nearly 18 years. Since March, it has further tightened restrictions by closing border crossings and halting the entry of food and medicine, pushing the enclave to the brink of famine.
Since the start of Israel’s military campaign in October 2023, more than 66,000 Palestinians have been killed—most of them women and children. The United Nations and human rights groups have warned that Gaza is becoming uninhabitable, with starvation and disease spreading rapidly.
