Global outrage as Israel intercepts Gaza aid flotilla, detains activists

CAIRO – 2 October 2025: Israel’s navy has intercepted a flotilla of boats carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza, detaining dozens of international activists including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, sparking a wave of global condemnation.

While the Israeli forces have intercepted many vessels since Wednesday, the Global Sumud Flotilla has said that dozens of boats are still "sailing strong to Gaza."

The Israeli Foreign Ministry claimed that the vessels, part of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), were “safely stopped” as they neared what it called an “active combat zone.”

Activists, however, denounced the move as “illegal,” accusing Israel of ramming one boat and using water cannons against others.

Watch Israeli troops intercepting and boarding the Global Sumud Flotilla’s vessel All In along with other boats in international waters on Thursday morning, from here.

The Global Sumud Flotilla stressed that the attack “clearly reveals the extreme lengths to which the occupier will go to ensure Gaza remains starved and isolated."

"They will attack a peaceful civilian mission because the success of humanitarian aid means the failure of their siege."

A report published in August by the UN-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) officially confirmed famine in Gaza.

The enclave’s health ministry has reported the death of 455 people as a result of acute malnutrition and starvation, including 151 children.

Another report by the United Nations commission of inquiry concluded last month that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza during the ongoing war, ongoing for two years.

Global Outrage

Protests erupted in several areas worldwide over the Israeli assaults on the flotilla, including in France, Greece, Italy, Germany, Tunisia, and Turkey, while Italian trade unions announced a nationwide strike on Friday.

Turkey’s foreign ministry condemned the operation as an “act of terrorism” that “endangers the lives of innocent civilians.”

In a statement, the Turkish ministry warned that the assault demonstrates that “the fascist and militarist policies pursued by the genocidal Netanyahu government … are not limited to Palestinians but extend to all those who resist Israel’s oppression.”

The ministry stated that all required efforts are being undertaken to ensure the immediate release of Turkish citizens and other passengers detained by the Israeli forces.

“Legal steps will also be pursued to hold the perpetrators of this attack accountable,” the statement added.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro went further, expelling remaining Israeli diplomats, terminating a free trade deal, and denouncing the interception as an “international crime by Netanyahu.”

Ireland’s deputy prime minister said at least seven Irish citizens were among the detained and urged Israel to respect international law.

Israel has blocked two similar aid missions to Gaza in recent months, even as international pressure mounts over its ongoing assault on Gaza City.

The Israeli forces have suspended humanitarian pauses in the densely populated city amid the ongoing operations, ordering its million residents to evacuate.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz stated that Gaza City residents have a “last opportunity” to leave, threatening that anyone who stays there will be considered “terrorists and terror supporters.”