Israeli Navy detained Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg on Wednesday, 1st October, for her involvement in a pro-Palestinian humanitarian flotilla that was trying to enter Gaza. The Global Sumud Flotilla was trying to break the maritime blockade and bring aid to the war-affected region when the Israeli military intercepted it on Wednesday, some 75 miles (120 kilometers) off the coast of Gaza. According to organizers, Israeli forces arrested activists from all over the world on the flotilla after boarding more than a dozen boats early Thursday.
According to flotilla organizers, more than 30 boats are still en route to Gaza, and more than 150 activists from more than 20 countries have already been arrested. The group stated that those vessels are roughly 46 nautical miles away from the shores of the enclave.
On social media, flotilla organizers claimed, “Israeli naval forces illegally intercepted and boarded the Global Sumud Flotilla’s vessel Sirius along with other boats in international waters”. A video of water cannons aimed at boats was also uploaded.
The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on social media on Wednesday night, “Already several vessels of the Hamas-Sumud flotilla have been safely stopped and their passengers are being transferred to an Israeli port. Greta and her friends are safe and healthy.” The video shows Greta engaging calmly with the militants.
Who is on the Flotilla?
Boats in the flotilla are part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, a name for the group of activists protesting Israel's war in Gaza and carrying food in a humanitarian crisis there. The flotilla, which sailed from Spain in September and included other vessels, was met by other boats as it crossed the Mediterranean Sea, including high-profile passengers: Ms. Thunberg, Mandla Mandela, grandson of Nelson Mandela, and elected activists from Italy, which has been roiled by antiwar protests in recent weeks. The interceptions prompted renewed protests in Italy, along with Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Spain, and Turkey, video and posts on social media showed.
Group’s vision and mission
They want to end the siege of Gaza and create a humanitarian corridor so that aid can be delivered through sea, according to the activists. They also aim to increase awareness of the suffering in the enclave, which has been under Israeli blockade since shortly after Hamas took control of it in 2007. Since the start of the war, which was prompted by the October attack led by Hamas, Israel has tightened its restrictions on merchandise entering Gaza, 7, 2023. Health officials in Gaza who do not differentiate between civilians and combatants claim that more than 65000 Palestinians have died since the conflict began.
Israel’s response
With its limitations on aid to Gaza and its obstruction of efforts to deliver aid to civilians, Israel is accused by the flotilla organizers of breaking international law. Ever since their mission started, they have been at odds with the Israeli government. Israel has stated that it will take all necessary steps to prevent the ships from getting to Gaza. Additionally, it has been charged that the flotilla has connections to Hamas, a claim that the group's leaders have refuted.
On Thursday, the Spanish Navy vessel Furor left the Port of Cartagena to join the flotilla. The ministry has asked the organization to deposit its aid at an Israeli port so that it can be shipped to Gaza. The flotilla's organizers rejected the proposal as being dishonest, and they have implied that Israel was involved in their communications being jammed and their drone attacks while they were at sea.
After those incidents, Turkey had drones keep an eye on the boats and record any possible attacks, and Italy and Spain sent naval ships to travel with the flotilla for a portion of its journey. Spanish officials, however, advised the flotilla not to continue as it approached Gaza. The flotilla was also urged to turn back by Italy’s Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni. She expressed concern that it might jeopardize efforts to negotiate a peace agreement.
Is this the first time a flotilla has tried to reach Gaza?
Activists have attempted several times to travel by sea to Gaza. After being struck by explosions off the coast of Malta in May 2025, a ship named Conscience that was headed for Gaza halted its voyage. Both the Handala and the Madleen were intercepted by Israel in July and June, respectively.
