Israel has captured all of the Global Sumud Flotilla’s (GSF) 40+ ships carrying symbolic humanitarian aid to Gaza, with the show of force triggering mass protests across the world.
Israeli forces boarded the vessels, carrying about 500 parliamentarians, lawyers, volunteers, military veterans and activists, including Greta Thunberg, about 75 nautical miles (140 km) off the coast of Gaza.
Remember, the pro-Palestinian flotilla had set sail in late August 2025, departing from ports in Spain and Italy - their goal - to breach the Gaza blockade and establish a maritime corridor into Gaza.
Furthermore, the flotilla argued that it was a civilian, unarmed group and that the passage of humanitarian aid was guaranteed in international law. The Israeli foreign ministry, though, maintains the flotilla is “not interested in aid, but in provocation”.
This after a video by them showed an Israeli Navy spokesperson warning ships that they are approaching a blockaded zone. Furthermore, they are told that If they wish to deliver aid to Gaza, they may do so through “the established channels”.
For context - Israel has enforced varying degrees of blockade on Gaza since Hamas took control in 2007. Consequently, Gazans have largely been trapped in the Palestinian territory, with the entry of food, goods, and aid strictly controlled by Israel.
After detaining members of the flotilla headed to the blockaded zone, the Israeli foreign ministry said that they were safe and in good health. The post on X further added that those detained are apparently being transported to Israel, from where they would be deported to Europe.
The detention of the flotilla’s international passengers has led to widespread uproar and vilification, including from the likes of the European Union, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, Turkish President Erdogan, and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
Reports suggest that among those arrested are Irish senator Chris Andrews, Italian MPs, the French MEP Emma Fourreau, an MP from Poland’s ruling coalition, as well as possibly Malaysian, Kuwaiti and Germans nationals.
Notably, Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro expelled Israeli diplomats from its lands and declared that a free trade agreement between the two nations had been “denounced immediately”.
Moreover, tens of thousands took to the streets demanding Israel end the blockade, release the activists and “free Palestine”.
Protests were seen across the globe, including - Italy’s Rome, Argentina’s Buenos Aires, Spain’s Barcelona, Turkey’s Istanbul, France’s Paris, Greece’s Athen’s, and Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro.
