Israeli forces intercept Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters near Greece

Published connected 30/04/2026 - 9:34 GMT+2•Updated 9:38

Israeli subject forces person intercepted boats of the Global Sumud Flotilla travelling to Gaza successful planetary waters adjacent Greece, the radical said connected Thursday.

In a station connected X, the group, which initially acceptable sail with 58 vessels carrying activists and aid, aiming to interruption the Israeli naval blockade of the Strip, said its boats were intercepted successful what they called an "illegal act".

The fig of vessels seized is unclear astatine this time. Israeli service radio, citing an unnamed subject source, said 7 of the 58 boats had been intercepted adjacent Kythira.

The flotilla said it had mislaid interaction with 11 vessels and described 15 arsenic having been boarded.

The Israeli overseas ministry subsequently said forces had detained 175 radical from much than 20 boats.

"Approximately 175 activists from much than 20 boats ... are present making their mode peacefully to Israel," the ministry said successful a statement, including a video of the activists aboard an Israeli navy ship.

'Professionalism and determination'

The interceptions began successful the aboriginal hours of Thursday, much than 600 nautical miles from the seashore of Gaza.

“Our boats were approached by subject speedboats, self-identified arsenic ‘Israel’, pointing lasers and semi-automatic weapons ordering participants to the beforehand of the boats and to get connected their hands and knees. The vessel communications are being jammed and an SOS was issued,” the radical shared successful a statement.

They besides reported galore boats successful the travelling fleet were damaged successful the “violent raid” aft Israeli soldiers boarded and “systematically disabled” respective ships.

Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon said Israeli soldiers had acted "with professionalism and determination" successful stopping what helium called a "provocative flotilla" earlier it reached Israeli waters.

It is not yet wide if Israel arrested each the activists connected committee each vessel it intercepted and took them connected committee Israeli vessels, oregon if immoderate activists stay stranded astatine sea.

The radical said it remained committed to sailing to Gaza to present the assistance and shed airy connected the plight of the Palestinian people, who it said person been sidelined successful planetary priorities successful the aftermath of the Iran war.

Israel has antecedently described the flotilla arsenic a governmental provocation with alleged ties to Hamas, a characterisation the radical has rejected.

In October 2025, Israel intercepted a erstwhile Global Sumud Flotilla mission, detaining much than 450 activists including clime activistic Greta Thunberg and MEP Rima Hassan. All were subsequently released and returned to their location countries.