Israeli Navy Intercepts Global Sumud Flotilla on Yom Kippur, Detains 425 Activists Including Greta Thunberg

In a swift and coordinated operation on the eve of Yom Kippur, the Israeli Navy and Shayetet 13 commandos boarded and seized approximately 40 vessels of the Global Sumud Flotilla as it approached Gaza's territorial waters, detaining over 425 international pro-Palestinian activists. The flotilla, launched in late August 2025 from ports in Barcelona, Genoa, Tunis, and Catania, aimed to breach Israel's naval blockade and deliver humanitarian aid amid the ongoing war against Hamas. Among the high-profile detainees were Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, Nelson Mandela's grandson Nkosi Zwelivelihle Mandela, European parliamentarians, and former Barcelona Mayor Ada Colau. Israel's Foreign Ministry released footage showing Thunberg seated calmly on deck with soldiers, stating, "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 interception began late Wednesday, October 1, when Israeli naval officers issued radio warnings: “This is the Israeli Navy. You are approaching a blockaded zone. If you wish to deliver aid to Gaza, you may do so through the established channels. Please change your course toward the port of Ashdod, where the aid will undergo a security inspection and then be transferred into the Gaza Strip.”

The flotilla, comprising over 40 civilian boats carrying food, medical supplies, and 45 tons of Italian cargo, ignored repeated calls to divert, prompting the boarding. By Thursday morning, most vessels were secured, with a few stragglers facing technical issues or remaining at a distance.

The Foreign Ministry emphasized, "The provocation of Hamas-Sumud has ended. None of the provocation yachts succeeded in entering the active combat zone or breaching the lawful naval blockade. All passengers are healthy and safe. They are on their way to Israel peacefully, from where they will be deported to Europe." It added, "The last vessel of this provocation remains at a distance. If it approaches, its attempt to enter the active combat zone and breach the blockade will be prevented."

Flotilla activists and groups like Adalah condemned the action as an "illegal seizure in international waters," claiming violations of international law and denial of fair legal process. Adalah reported that deportation hearings began at 2:45 p.m. without access to lawyers, demanding immediate release of detainees, return of seized ships and aid, and allowance for the flotilla to proceed. By 4:05 p.m., Adalah's legal team gained entry to Ashdod Port to provide counsel. U.S. veteran Greg Stoker, aboard one vessel, posted on Instagram in a life vest: "Right now they're telling us to shut off our engines and wait for further instructions or our boats will be seized and we'll face the consequences." As boats arrived at Ashdod by midday Thursday, the process shifted to police and Israel Prisons Service (IPS) custody, with detainees transported to the secure Ktzi'ot facility in the south. A special rabbinical permit allowed operations during Yom Kippur. Compliant activists face deportation post-fast on Thursday evening via Ben Gurion Airport; resisters will appear before a special tribunal. As "illegal entrants," they bypass standard court extensions, handled by the Interior Ministry.

The operation unfolded amid global backlash. Thousands protested in Italy, including unions and at Rome train stations, against the so called "aggressive" interception. Greece, Britain, and Malaysia demanded clarifications from Israel, with Greece and Italy issuing a joint statement urging safe passage and consular access while appealing for the flotilla to accept the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem's Cyprus drop-off offer for aid to Gaza. Turkey labeled it an "act of terrorism" violating international law. The flotilla reported drone activity and ramming attempts earlier, with communications jammed and cameras offline. One vessel, the Marinette, lost contact near Gaza's coast.

Israel maintains the blockade, imposed with Egypt since Hamas's 2007 takeover, is lawful to curb arms smuggling during the war sparked by Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack killing 1,200 Israelis and abducting 251.

The Foreign Ministry revealed Hamas documents seized in Gaza proving the flotilla's direct funding and organization by the terror group via the PCPA (Palestinians Abroad Conference), a 2018 Hamas front posing as a civilian entity. A 2021 letter from Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh endorses PCPA unity, and a list names leaders like Zaher Birawi (UK PCPA head and flotilla organizer) and Saif Abu Kashk (Spanish PCPA activist and Cyber Neptune CEO, owning flotilla ships covertly for Hamas).

Israel designated PCPA a terror group in 2021.

Organizers rejected alternatives like Ashkelon unloading, insisting on direct delivery.

All signs point towards the flotilla being used as a puppet by terror individuals all while hiding under the guise of 'activism' yet essentially drawing attention away from Gaza and taking up precious time and resources of the Israeli Navy in what amounted to be nothing more than a publicity stunt.