Israeli Navy Intercepts Global Sumud Flotilla in Major Maritime Confrontation
In a significant military operation, the Israeli navy has intercepted and seized the entire 44-vessel Global Sumud Flotilla, a major civilian-led attempt to break the naval blockade of Gaza. The operation, which unfolded over 38 hours, resulted in the detention of hundreds of international activists and sparked immediate diplomatic fallout and worldwide protests.
The final vessel to be intercepted was the Polish-flagged Marinette, which was boarded by Israeli forces. According to flotilla organizers, the boat had a six-person crew from Turkey, Oman, and Australia. Earlier, another vessel, the Mikeno, reportedly entered Gaza’s territorial waters, creating a moment of high tension. While organizers claimed the Mikeno’s tracker showed it approaching within 9.3 nautical miles of the coast, Israeli authorities firmly denied that any vessel successfully breached the blockade.
The flotilla was one of the largest civilian maritime convoys ever assembled, comprising hundreds of activists from more than 40 countries. The passenger list included high-profile figures such as climate activist Greta Thunberg, former Mayor of Barcelona Ada Colau, French MEP Rima Hassan, and Zwelivelile Mandela, the grandson of Nelson Mandela. The scale of the participation highlighted the international dimension of the protest.
The interceptions triggered swift and strong international reactions. In a dramatic move, Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced the expulsion of Israeli diplomats and the termination of a free trade agreement with Israel, condemning the operation as an “international crime.” Meanwhile, several European governments called for the protection of the detained activists’ rights. Public solidarity was also evident, with Italy’s largest union calling a general strike and protests erupting in cities across Europe.
The incident underscores the ongoing legal and humanitarian dispute over the Gaza blockade. Flotilla organizers and supporting human rights groups have condemned the interceptions in international waters as an illegal act of abduction. In contrast, the Israeli government has defended its actions as a necessary enforcement of a lawful naval blockade, crucial for its security. They have stated that any humanitarian aid from the flotilla would be transferred to Gaza via established land routes after inspection.
This event is the latest in a long history of civilian maritime challenges to the blockade, the most infamous being the 2010 Mavi Marmara raid that resulted in ten civilian deaths. Despite being thwarted, organizers of the Global Sumud Flotilla have signaled that further attempts to reach Gaza by sea are expected in the near future.
