Israeli Navy Intercepts Gaza Flotilla, Detains Greta Thunberg and Hundreds of Activists

In a coordinated maritime operation coinciding with Yom Kippur, the Israeli Navy intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla, a convoy of 47 vessels attempting to breach Israel’s blockade on Hamas-controlled Gaza. The operation, led by the elite Shayetet 13 naval commando unit, unfolded from Wednesday night into Thursday morning, resulting in the detention of hundreds of activists, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg.

Israeli forces boarded approximately 40 vessels, jamming their signals and issuing final warnings before detainment. According to the IDF, none of the ships reached Israeli-controlled waters, and several were already disabled by technical problems.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry released a video showing Thunberg in custody, with an officer returning her belongings. “Greta and her friends are safe and healthy,” the ministry stated. All activists are expected to be deported in the coming days.

The flotilla, which set sail from Spain a month ago, carried over 500 participants and a small symbolic quantity of aid for Gaza. Israel, supported by European nations including Italy and Spain, insisted that aid must enter Gaza through approved humanitarian corridors via Ashdod or Cyprus, not by sea.

An Israeli naval officer was recorded warning the flotilla via radio:

“You are approaching a blockaded zone. If you wish to deliver aid to Gaza, you may do so through the established channels. Please change your course.”

Among those detained were prominent European political figures, such as Mandla Mandela, grandson of Nelson Mandela, and former Barcelona Mayor Ada Colau. Organizers included several individuals with alleged ties to Hamas, and livestream footage showed some activists throwing their phones overboard during boarding to avoid data capture.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani confirmed that the activists would be deported and stated that Israeli forces were instructed “not to use violence.” Activists on board reported water cannons were used in some cases, but no injuries occurred.

Simultaneously, as the naval operation was underway, Palestinian terrorists in northern Gaza launched five rockets at Ashdod. Four were intercepted by the Iron Dome; one fell in an open area, causing no injuries.

The Israeli military emphasized that this flotilla like others blocked in June and July was not a humanitarian mission, but rather a provocation intended to challenge Israel’s right to self-defense. Israel and Egypt have imposed a naval blockade on Gaza since 2007, following Hamas’s violent seizure of the territory.

The Gaza war, now nearing its two-year mark, began with Hamas’s October 7 massacre, in which 1,200 Israelis were murdered and 251 hostages taken. As of August, Israel reported 22,000 Hamas fighters killed in combat and 1,600 terrorists eliminated inside Israel during the initial attack.

As international pressure mounts, Israel remains firm in its stance: no unauthorized entry into Gaza will be tolerated, and aid must be delivered through vetted and secure channels. The flotilla’s interception highlights Israel’s continued commitment to preventing arms smuggling and Hamas exploitation under the guise of activism.

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