Activists of the Global Sumud Flotilla reported on Thursday that Israeli troops boarded their vessels, damaging engines and communication equipment to compel them to turn back.
The Israeli foreign minister announced on Thursday that those civilians detained earlier on the Gaza-bound aid flotilla by the Israeli military in international waters will be transferred to Greece.
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«Working closely with the Greek authorities, the civilians who were transferred from the flotilla vessels to the Israeli ship will be disembarked in Greece within the next few hours,» wrote Gideon Sa’ar on X, expressing gratitude towards the Greek government «for agreeing to receive the flotilla participants.»
«Israel will not permit the violation of the lawful naval blockade on Gaza,» he added.
This follows the interception by Israeli military forces of boats belonging to the Global Sumud Flotilla en route to Gaza in international waters near Greece, as the group stated earlier on Thursday.
In a post on X, the organization, which started with 58 vessels filled with activists and aid supplies intended to break the Israeli naval blockade of Gaza, described the interception as an «illegal act.»
The exact number of seized vessels remains unclear. According to Israeli army radio, citing an anonymous military source, seven out of the 58 boats were stopped near Kythira.
The flotilla reported losing contact with 11 boats and confirmed that 15 had been boarded.
Later, the Israeli foreign ministry announced that forces had detained 175 individuals from over 20 vessels.
«About 175 activists from more than 20 boats … are currently being peacefully transported to Israel,» the ministry’s statement noted, including footage of the activists aboard an Israeli naval ship.
‘Professionalism and resolve’
The interceptions started in the early hours of Thursday, more than 600 nautical miles off the Gaza coast.
“Military speedboats identifying themselves as ‘Israel’ approached our vessels, using lasers and semi-automatic firearms to command participants to the bow of the boats and to kneel. Our communications have been interfered with and an SOS was issued,” the group said in a statement.
They also reported that several boats in the fleet sustained damage during the «violent raid» after Israeli soldiers boarded and deliberately disabled multiple ships.
Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, stated that soldiers acted «with professionalism and determination» in halting what he described as a «provocative flotilla» before it reached Israeli waters.
It remains uncertain whether Israel has detained all activists from every intercepted boat and taken them aboard Israeli vessels, or if some individuals are still stranded at sea.
The group affirmed its ongoing commitment to reach Gaza in order to deliver aid and highlight the situation of the Palestinian population, which it claims has been neglected in international agendas following the Iran conflict.
Previously, Israel has characterized the flotilla as a political provocation with alleged links to Hamas, a claim the group denies.
In October 2025, Israel intercepted an earlier Global Sumud Flotilla mission, detaining over 450 activists, including climate campaigner Greta Thunberg and MEP Rima Hassan. All were later released and returned to their respective countries.
Additional sources • AFP