Global Sumud Flotilla to Gaza stopped by Israeli forces, boats diverted to port and activists to be deported

Israeli forces intercepted several boats carrying foreign activists and humanitarian aid bound for Gaza on Wednesday, diverting them to an Israeli port and halting a high-profile protest against Israel’s blockade of the enclave.

The vessels, part of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), were stopped about 70 nautical miles (130km) off Gaza’s coast.

The flotilla consisted of more than 40 civilian boats transporting food and medicine, with around 500 parliamentarians, lawyers and activists on board.

According to the GSF tracker, by 2 October at 07:01 UTC, 21 of the 44 vessels were being intercepted.

Israel’s foreign ministry confirmed the action, stating that several vessels from what it termed the “Hamas-Sumud flotilla” had been stopped and their passengers were being transferred to an Israeli port.

“Greta and her friends are safe and healthy,” the ministry said in a post on X.

Organisers Denounce ‘War Crime’

Flotilla organisers condemned the raid, calling it a “war crime.”“Multiple vessels … were illegally intercepted and boarded by Israeli Occupation Forces in international waters,” they said in a statement.

They also shared footage that appeared to show boats being targeted with water cannon.

Activists aboard the intercepted vessels uploaded prerecorded messages on social media.

One of them, United States citizen and activist Leila Hegazy, said that if her video was being shared, it meant she had been “kidnapped by the Israeli occupation forces and brought to Israel against will.”

“I ask you all to pressure the United States government to end its complicity in the genocide of the Palestinian people in Gaza and also to ensure the safe return of every humanitarian on this mission,” she said.

Climate activist Greta Thunberg, aboard the Alma vessel, also posted a video accusing Israel of violating international law.

“Israel is not immune to international law, they must be held accountable for their war crime. Stop the genocide. Stop the occupation. Free Palestine,” she declared.

International ResponseThe interception drew sharp reactions from governments and political leaders worldwide.

US Senator Ed Markey urged President Donald Trump to intervene diplomatically.

“Trump should use his relationship with [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu to protect the Global Sumud Flotilla.

These are peaceful civilian vessels bringing humanitarian aid to Gaza. Americans are on board, including from Massachusetts. We must resolve this crisis peacefully,” he said on X.

Turkiye’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the raid as an “act of terrorism” and a grave violation of international law, adding that steps were under way to secure the release of its citizens.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro ordered the expulsion of Israel’s diplomatic delegation after the detention of two Colombians, calling the incident a possible “new international crime” by Netanyahu and demanding their immediate release.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia would take all legal and diplomatic steps to hold Israel accountable, especially when its citizens were involved.

It is understood that at least 12 Malaysians on a humanitarian aid mission to Gaza have been detained by Israeli forces.

“By blocking a humanitarian mission, Israel has shown utter contempt not only for the rights of the Palestinian people but also for the conscience of the world,” Anwar said.

He called for the immediate release of all Malaysian and international activists and volunteers.

Activists to Be Deported

Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, said the activists would be deported after the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur concludes on Thursday.

He insisted that Israel would not permit what he called “public relations stunts near an active war zone” to undermine its sovereignty.

“Israel has repeatedly offered ways to peacefully deliver aid to Gaza, but this flotilla is not interested in aid – only provocation,” he said.

In a separate statement on X, the foreign ministry said that the "Hamas-Sumud passengers" were being transported safely and peacefully to Israel, where deportation procedures to Europe would begin.

It added that the passengers were safe and in good health.

Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza

The flotilla’s voyage came against the backdrop of a deepening humanitarian emergency in Gaza.

In August, the United Nations-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) declared famine in the enclave.

According to the IPC, more than 514,000 people in Gaza were already facing catastrophic levels of starvation, destitution and death.

That number was projected to rise to 641,000 by the end of September, with famine expected to spread further south to Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected the IPC’s findings as “an outright lie,” maintaining that Israel does not pursue a policy of starvation and pointing to aid deliveries into Gaza during the war.

Since 7 October 2023, more than 66,000 Palestinians, including at least 19,424 children, have been killed, according to Gaza’s health authorities.