Israeli naval forces intercepted an international aid flotilla bound for Gaza on Thursday, detaining more than 450 activists and seizing more than 40 vessels, according to flotilla organisers and Israeli officials.
The Global Sumud Flotilla said on social media that 42 boats were intercepted and their passengers transferred to Ashdod Port in southern Israel. Activists came from more than 45 countries, including Spain, Italy, Brazil, Türkiye, Greece, the United States, Germany, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and France.
One ship, the Marinette, was reported to still be sailing, around 80 nautical miles from Gaza after delays caused by technical issues. Cameras broadcasting live showed armed Israeli personnel boarding vessels, with passengers wearing life vests and raising their hands. The Israeli Foreign Ministry later released video showing Swedish campaigner Greta Thunberg seated on a deck surrounded by soldiers.
Israel confirmed that those detained would be deported to Europe in the coming days. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said he expected deportations to begin early next week, while Turkish authorities said they had launched an investigation into the detention of 24 Turkish citizens.
The interception triggered protests in several cities, including London, Madrid, Rome, Karachi, Buenos Aires, and Mexico City. Italian unions announced a general strike for Friday in response. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan condemned the operation, while South African President Cyril Ramaphosa called for the release of South Africans on board, including Nelson Mandela’s grandson, Nkosi Zwelivelile Mandela.
The International Committee to Break the Siege on Gaza (ICBSG) alleged Israeli naval forces used water cannons, ramming and forcible boarding, and mistreated detainees. These claims could not be independently verified. The flotilla organisers said their vessels were less than 80 nautical miles from Gaza when intercepted. Activists reported communications being jammed. Israel’s public broadcaster KAN said the operation lasted around 12 hours, with all intercepted ships towed to Ashdod.
The flotilla, carrying humanitarian aid such as medical supplies and food, set sail in late August. It was the largest convoy in years to attempt to reach Gaza, consisting of more than 40 civilian vessels with parliamentarians, lawyers, and activists on board.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) said Thursday that 11 ships remain sailing toward Gaza to challenge Israel’s blockade. Two vessels flying Italian and French flags departed Otranto on 25 September, joined by the Conscience on 30 September, and are expected to link with the “Thousand Madleens to Gaza” convoy.
Around 100 people are on board the boats, currently off the coast of Crete, according to the FFC.
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President Donald Trump said Iran is keen to reach a deal with the United States, claiming Washington had paused engagement to allow funeral ceremonies for late Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Russia's Defence Ministry has said its forces are clearing the town of Lyman in Donetsk of Ukrainian forces, Moscow's state news agency Tass reported. Meanwhile, Russian attacks killed at least six people across three Ukrainian regions on Friday, regional officials said.
Uzbekistan will open an embassy in Georgia, the Central Asian country’s presidency has said. The announcement follows talks between Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze in Tbilisi.
Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of the eastern German city of Erfurt on Saturday as the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) opened its annual party conference, where delegates voted to keep Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla as the party's co-leaders.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has raised its forecast for the rapid emergence of a strong El Niño, warning the climate pattern is likely to drive higher global temperatures and intensify extreme weather in the months ahead.
India is investigating a data breach at Tata Electronics that exposed sensitive documents linked to Apple's unreleased iPhone 18 Pro, marking the government's first public comments on the incident.
Iran and the U.S. have concluded indirect talks in Doha without a major breakthrough, with discussions focused on maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz and frozen Iranian funds. Both sides are expected to meet again after the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
International politicians and religious leaders have paid respects to Iran's late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei throughout the day, ahead of his six day funeral ceremony which begins on Saturday. His casket is currently on display at the Iman Khomeini Grand Mosalla in Tehran.
Germany has requested urgent talks with China's ambassador following reports that Chinese authorities trained Russian soldiers, adding fresh strain to relations between Beijing and Europe amid the war in Ukraine.
Russia's Defence Ministry has said its forces are clearing the town of Lyman in Donetsk of Ukrainian forces, Moscow's state news agency Tass reported. Meanwhile, Russian attacks killed at least six people across three Ukrainian regions on Friday, regional officials said.
French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to use next week's NATO summit in Ankara to advance his push for greater European responsibility in security, with a bilateral meeting planned with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan as Paris seeks closer coordination with key allies.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated U.S. President Donald Trump on the 250th anniversary of American independence, saying Russia and the United States share a special responsibility for maintaining global security as the world's two largest nuclear powers.
China said on Saturday it had launched a coast guard patrol east of Taiwan, prompting a strong protest from Taipei, which accused Beijing of illegally expanding its authority and undermining regional stability.
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