Israel stops 14 Gaza aid boats, prompting global criticism

Israeli forces have stopped 14 boats carrying foreign activists and aid bound for Gaza, but at least 23 boats are continuing to sail towards the war-ravaged Strip, flotilla organisers said on Thursday (2 October).

A video from the Israeli foreign ministry verified by Reuters showed the most prominent of the flotilla's passengers, Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, sitting on a deck surrounded by soldiers. 

"Several vessels of the Hamas-Sumud flotilla have been safely stopped and their passengers are being transferred to an Israeli port," the Israeli foreign ministry said on X.

"Greta and her friends are safe and healthy."

The Global Sumud Flotilla, transporting medicine and food to Gaza, consists of more than 40 civilian boats with about 500 parliamentarians, lawyers and activists.

The flotilla put out several videos on Telegram with messages from individuals aboard the various boats, some holding their passports and claiming they were abducted and taken to Israel against their will, and reiterating that their mission was a non-violent humanitarian cause.

The flotilla is the most high-profile symbol of opposition to Israel's blockade of Gaza.

International reaction

Its progress across the Mediterranean Sea garnered international attention as nations including Türkiye, Spain and Italy sent boats or drones in case their nationals required assistance, even as it triggered repeated warnings from Israel to turn back.

Türkiye’s foreign ministry called Israel’s “attack” on the flotilla “an act of terror” that endangered the lives of innocent civilians.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro ordered the expulsion of Israel’s entire diplomatic delegation on Wednesday following the detention of two Colombians in the flotilla. Israel has not had an ambassador in Colombia since last year. 

Petro called the detentions a potential “new international crime” by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and demanded the release of the Colombians. He also terminated Colombia’s free trade agreement with Israel.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Thursday condemned Israel’s interception of the flotilla, adding Israeli forces had detained eight Malaysians.

"By blocking a humanitarian mission, Israel has shown utter contempt not only for the rights of the Palestinian people but also for the conscience of the world," Anwar, whose country is predominantly Muslim, said in a statement.

Israel's interception of the flotilla sparked protests in Italy and Colombia. Italian unions called a general strike for Friday in solidarity with the international aid flotilla.

Israel's navy had previously warned the flotilla it was approaching an active combat zone and violating a lawful blockade, and asked them to change course. It had offered to transfer any aid peacefully through safe channels to Gaza. 

Meanwhile, The British government is "very concerned" about Israel's interception of the aid flotilla, the Foreign Office said on Thursday, adding that it had made clear to Israel that the situation should be resolved safely.

"We are very concerned about the situation with the Sumud flotilla, we are in touch with the families of a number of British nationals involved," the British foreign office said in a statement.

"The aid carried by the flotilla should be turned over to humanitarian organisations on the ground to be delivered safely into Gaza," the statement said.

Israeli foreign ministry said on X several vessels were "safely stopped" and passengers were being "transferred" to an Israeli port.

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Gaza Israel flotilla News Politics Peace Ashdod port Palestine Middle East Mediterranean Sea