International Sumud Flotilla: The Israeli authorities introduced that a number of vessels of the International-Sumud Flotilla, which they’ve dubbed as “Hamas-Sumud Flotilla”, have been intercepted and that passengers are being transferred to an Israeli port. Not less than six boats, in response to the Israeli media, together with Channel 13, have been intercepted up to now. Extra interceptions are possible.
The Israeli Overseas Ministry posted on X, “Already a number of vessels of the Hamas-Sumud flotilla have been safely stopped and their passengers are being transferred to an Israeli port. Greta and her mates are protected and wholesome.”
GRETA THUNBERG CAPTURED BY THE IDF pic.twitter.com/L5UpPVuoiZ
— International Sumud Flotilla (@GSMFlotilla) October 1, 2025
The ministry additionally shared a video exhibiting Thunberg being escorted away. Israel has offered no substantive proof to assist the declare the flotilla is linked to Hamas.
Already a number of vessels of the Hamas-Sumud flotilla have been safely stopped and their passengers are being transferred to an Israeli port.
Greta and her mates are protected and wholesome. pic.twitter.com/PA1ezier9s
— Israel Overseas Ministry (@IsraelMFA) October 1, 2025
Activists have referred to as the interception unlawful and “piracy”.
The flotilla, nonetheless, mentioned that the standing of some contributors and crew stays unconfirmed. “That is an unlawful assault on unarmed humanitarians. We name on governments and worldwide establishments to demand their rapid security and launch,” it mentioned in an announcement.
LEADER OF #GlobalSumudFlotilla THIAGO AVILA ANSWERS BACK THE IDF AND TELLS THEM TO STAND DOWN!!! pic.twitter.com/cgJo2zUf7I
— International Sumud Flotilla (@GSMFlotilla) October 1, 2025
Should you’re watching this I’ve been illegally detained by Israel, for making an attempt to ship child system, meals and medication to Gaza. Demand our authorities uphold worldwide regulation and maintain Israel to account. pic.twitter.com/feQZC8tDDK
— Kieran Andrieu (@kieran_andrieu) October 1, 2025
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition accused Israel of “attacking” the International Sumud Flotilla in worldwide waters and “abducting” these on board. The group described the incident as “piracy” and “kidnapping”.
“Folks of conscience have been kidnapped. The flotilla broke no legal guidelines. What is illegitimate is Israel’s genocide, Israel’s unlawful blockade of Gaza and Israel’s use of hunger as a weapon. Unarmed individuals of conscience, kidnapped in worldwide waters. That is piracy. That is kidnapping. The flotilla didn’t break any legal guidelines. What’s illegal is: genocide, the lethal blockade of Gaza, using hunger as a weapon of conflict and the piracy of civilian vessels and abduction of all these on board,” its assertion learn.
The coalition urged supporters to strain governments to behave. “Demand your authorities reduce ties with Israel,” it urged.
Turkiye has condemned the interception and described it a “terrorist act”. Earlier this week, flight knowledge confirmed that Turkiye, alongside Spain, Italy and Greece, was monitoring the flotilla.
Monitoring web sites indicated that three long-endurance drones from Corlu airbase circled over the ships for 3 days.
Former UK Labour Social gathering chief Jeremy Corbyn condemned Israel’s interception of the flotilla, calling it “a flagrant breach of worldwide regulation”. “Israel has illegally intercepted the International Sumud Flotilla. This disgraceful assault is a flagrant breach of worldwide regulation. It’s an affront to our widespread human decency. And it’s a additional denigration of the Palestinian individuals, who’re being starved to demise by Israel,” he posted on X.
He criticised the UK authorities for ignoring warnings that the flotilla can be focused. “As soon as once more, we name on the federal government to defend worldwide regulation, impose widespread sanctions and cease arming Israel,” he added.
Corbyn concluded, “Historical past will aspect with the flotilla – and their bravery will solely encourage extra individuals to affix our international motion for Palestine.”
Historical past will aspect with the flotilla. pic.twitter.com/UlpwWTLexn
— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) October 1, 2025
Protests erupted throughout Italy following stories of the flotilla interception. Demonstrators blocked prepare visitors on the important railway station in Naples, whereas the police surrounded the Termini station in Rome.
Protests erupt in Naples, Italy over the intercept of the #GlobalSumudFlotilla. Staff in Naples say they’re shutting down all the things!#GlobalSumudFilotilla pic.twitter.com/ARrS7uEqCj
— International Sumud Flotilla (@GSMFlotilla) October 1, 2025
Italian commerce unions referred to as for a strike in protest of the flotilla’s therapy. The Confederazione Generale Italiana del Lavoro (Italian Common Confederation of Labour or CGIL) mentioned, “The aggression in opposition to civilian ships that had been carrying Italian residents is a particularly critical matter.”
The union mentioned the strike can be joined by different smaller unions.
In Genoa, the Unione Sindacale di Base, which interprets to Base Commerce Union (USB) in English, referred to as for protesters to assemble at 10 p.m. at one of many important port entrances. Earlier this month, the grassroots USB organised a common strike on September 22 in assist of Gaza and the flotilla.
Authorized specialists warned of unsure outcomes for detained activists. Hassan Jabareen, director of the authorized centre Adalah, defined to Al Jazeera, “The regulation says inside 72 hours you might be allowed to deport them; nonetheless, if you wish to arrest them, you need to deliver them earlier than the court docket inside 96 hours.”
He cautioned that the response from Israel stays unclear. “In the event that they arrest and detain them, it will probably result in a shedding state of affairs, as a result of media protection will proceed so long as they’re in custody. Should you deliver them to court docket, the worldwide media will proceed to cowl, and they’re going to cowl the authorized argument for that,” he added.
He additionally highlighted that the Israeli vacation Yom Kippur might delay any authorized proceedings.
US activist Leila Hegazy, aboard one of many Sumud flotilla vessels, posted a pre-recorded video on-line. She said that she has been “kidnapped by the Israeli occupation forces and dropped at Israel in opposition to (her) will”.
“Please perceive that that is an unlawful act below worldwide regulation and needs to be handled as such. I ask you all to strain america authorities to finish its complicity within the genocide of the Palestinian individuals in Gaza and likewise to make sure the protected return of each humanitarian on this mission,” she added.
Earlier, Israel repeatedly demanded that the International Sumud Flotilla hand over its support, claiming it might distribute it to Gaza. The flotilla refused, citing Israel’s restriction of UN support and allegations of utilizing hunger as a weapon of conflict.
Worldwide legal guidelines of the ocean prohibit naval blockades that trigger civilian hunger and require protected passage for humanitarian support.
Israel accused the flotilla of provocation after refusing provides handy over humanitarian provides. Support aboard the vessels might save the lives of kids affected by malnutrition because of restricted entry to meals and medication.
Movies launched by each Israel and the International Sumud Flotilla present communications between the Israeli navy and flotilla representatives. The Israeli Overseas Ministry video reveals an officer instructing the flotilla to dock at Ashdod for a safety inspection.
The flotilla’s response video featured steering committee member Thiago Avila, “You say that we’re coming into an lively warzone. You’re saying that we’re coming into a spot the place you might be committing conflict crimes. That is in opposition to worldwide regulation. As soon as once more, the Worldwide Court docket of Justice made a provisional ruling that any try to hinder a humanitarian mission to Gaza is prohibited by worldwide regulation, and (the flotilla) is complying with the request to make you accountable for the crime of genocide. It’s our ethical responsibility to refuse any try of an occupying power to manage humanitarian support for the Palestinian individuals in Gaza who’ve … the appropriate to manage their very own borders. Subsequently, we don’t recognise you as a respectable agent to deliver support to the Palestinian individuals in Gaza.”
Trying again, Freedom Flotilla III in 2015 was the third try to interrupt Israel’s blockade of Gaza. Israeli forces intercepted the Swedish-flagged Marianne of Gothenburg about 100 nautical miles from Gaza, detaining and later deporting activists, with some crew members held for six days.