Israeli Navy Attacks Gaza Aid Flotilla, Detains 443 Activists from 47 Countries
ISTANBUL, Oct 3:Israeli naval forces have attacked an international aid flotilla en route to the blockaded Gaza Strip, detaining at least 443 activists from 47 countries, organizers said on Thursday.
According to the International Committee to Break the Siege on Gaza (ICBSG), 22 vessels were seized by Israeli forces, while 19 others are believed to have been attacked but not yet documented. Four ships remain: two support vessels have turned back, while the Marinet is still sailing toward Gaza after a delayed departure caused by technical issues.
The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) confirmed that hundreds of activists were forcibly removed from their boats and transferred to Ashdod Port in southern Israel, describing the operation as an “unlawful abduction.”
Those detained include citizens from Spain, Italy, Brazil, Turkey, Greece, the United States, Germany, Sweden, the United Kingdom, France, and dozens of other nations.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry said all detained activists are being processed at Ashdod and will be deported to Europe. It also vowed to prevent any remaining flotilla vessels from reaching Gaza.
Flotilla organizers accused Israeli forces of using excessive force, alleging that naval boats rammed one ship, fired water cannons, and forcibly boarded multiple vessels, while mistreating activists during detention.
Activists reported signal jamming and communication blackouts as Israeli boats surrounded the convoy less than 80 nautical miles (148 km) from Gaza. Livestream footage showed participants donning life jackets as Israeli naval units closed in.
The attack occurred near the same area where the Madleen and Handala aid ships were intercepted earlier this year.
The raid came despite urgent appeals from humanitarian organizations. Amnesty International had called for protection of the flotilla, while the United Nations warned that any Israeli assault on the civilian convoy would be unacceptable.
The flotilla, carrying mainly food and medical supplies, departed at the end of August with nearly 50 vessels the largest coordinated attempt in years to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza, home to 2.4 million people.
Israel has enforced a blockade on the enclave for nearly 18 years, tightening restrictions further in March by closing crossings and blocking aid deliveries. Rights groups say the siege has driven Gaza into famine conditions.
Since October 2023, more than 66,200 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed in Israeli bombardments, with the UN warning the territory is becoming uninhabitable amid widespread hunger, disease, and destruction.