In a dramatic turn of events, hundreds of international activists, including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, were detained by Israeli forces after a flotilla carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza was intercepted in international waters.
According to BBC News and Al Jazeera, the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), consisting of over 40 ships and nearly 500 passengers, set sail from Spain with the mission to deliver essential aid directly into Gaza. However, Israeli naval forces stopped several vessels about 70 nautical miles off the Gaza coast, an area beyond Israel’s official jurisdiction.
Israel Defends the Interception
The Israeli Foreign Ministry claimed the flotilla was approaching “an active combat zone” and violating a “lawful naval blockade.” Footage released by Israeli authorities showed Greta Thunberg being escorted by navy officials, where she was reportedly safe and healthy.
Israeli officials described the flotilla as “provocation yachts” rather than a genuine aid mission, insisting the blockade is necessary to prevent supplies from reaching Hamas.
Activists Call the Interception “Illegal”
The GSF activists condemned the action, calling it “a brazen act of desperation” and “an international crime.” Reports allege that water cannons were used, and at least 443 people were detained before being transferred to the Israeli port of Ashdod for deportation.
International criticism quickly followed, with Amnesty International declaring Israel’s blockade of Gaza “unlawful,” while the UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk urged Israel to lift the blockade and allow life-saving aid into the Palestinian territory.
Global Outrage and Diplomatic Fallout
The incident has triggered diplomatic tensions worldwide:
- Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro expelled all Israeli diplomats, calling the interception a “crime in international waters” and suspended a free trade agreement.
- Pakistan, Bolivia, and Malaysia strongly condemned Israel’s actions.
- Protests erupted across Europe, including in Greece, Italy, Germany, and Turkey.
Meanwhile, Reuters reports that Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni criticized the flotilla mission, arguing that it would not benefit the Palestinian people.
What’s Next?
Legal teams working with the flotilla confirmed that further attempts to breach the blockade are planned in the coming days, with more vessels expected to join under the Freedom Flotilla Coalition.
Humanitarian organizations maintain that the blockade is worsening famine in Gaza, as confirmed by the UN-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), which recently declared famine conditions in the region.
Conclusion
The detention of Greta Thunberg and hundreds of activists has reignited global debate about Israel’s blockade of Gaza, the legality of naval interceptions in international waters, and the urgent need for humanitarian access to the besieged territory.
For updates, follow BBC, Al Jazeera, and Reuters.
