Greta Thunberg is to be deported after her aid vessel was intercepted by the Israeli military as it neared the besieged Gaza Strip, according to Israeli officials. The final sailing flotilla vessel, Marinette, has been captured 42 nautical miles from Gaza, organizers said on Friday. The move to stop the Global Sumud Flotilla has sparked backlash from the international community, including leaders in Colombia, Malaysia, Brazil, and Italy. Turkey’s foreign ministry called Israel’s interception “an act of terror.” Protests have erupted across major cities including Paris, Milan, and London. Amnesty International has criticized Israel’s stopping of the aid ships as “an attack on international law and basic humanity.” Demonstrations also took place in Mexico, Brazil, and the US.
Another boat docked in Cyprus on Friday, but officials did not confirm whether it was part of the fleet stopped by the Israeli military. Nearly 500 activists, including Thunberg, were sailing on around 44 boats carrying aid through the Mediterranean Sea for more than a month, aiming to break Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza as the enclave remained in the grip of widespread hunger.
Key Points
– Reports of injuries among 14 Irish citizens detained after Gaza-bound flotilla intercepted
– Final vessel, Marinette, intercepted, 42 nautical miles from Gaza
– Protests erupt across Brazil, Mexico, the US, Spain, Italy, London, Athens, and more
– Amnesty International criticises Israeli interception of flotilla
– Police use tear gas and water cannons on Gaza protest in Geneva
– Israel says all vessels have been intercepted
– Colombia expels Israeli diplomats after citizens detained in flotilla interception
– Palestinians able to fish for food as Israeli military ‘distracted’
Palestinians have shared videos of themselves fishing in the Mediterranean Sea as the Israeli navy has found itself preoccupied with flotilla interceptions. The UN has previously criticized the “systematic attacks on fishing in Gaza,” which has seen hundreds of people die from starvation and malnutrition as Israel restricts aid into the Strip.
Flotilla organizers issue statement after final vessel intercepted
“Marinette, the last remaining boat of the Global Sumud Flotilla, was intercepted at 10:29am local time, approximately 42.5 nautical miles from Gaza,” it wrote in a post on its Telegram channel. “Over 38 hours, Israeli occupation naval forces illegally intercepted all 42 of our vessels—each carrying humanitarian aid, volunteers, and the determination to break Israel’s illegal siege on Gaza. Marinette sailed forward with the spirit of sumud—steadfastness—even after seeing the fate of 41 boats before her. But this is not the end of our mission. Our determination to confront Israel’s atrocities and stand with the Palestinian people remains unshaken. As people rise up in cities worldwide to demand an end to these horrors and to take a stand for humanity, we rise together with one voice: We will not stop until the genocide ends. We will not stop until Palestine is free.”
A two-year UN investigation concluded that Israel is committing a genocide, however the state denies the claims and says they are “false” and “distorted.”
In pictures: Protests erupt across the world after flotilla vessels captured by Israeli military
Los Angeles, Rio de Janeiro, Paris, Milan, London, Athens, and other major European cities saw the outbreak of protests this week after over 400 volunteers were captured by the Israeli military after trying to take aid to Gaza. Over 47 nationalities are said to have been represented on the humanitarian mission. Over 66,000 people have been killed and nearly 170,000 wounded as experts have urged urgent intervention for the humanitarian crisis in the enclave.
Met Police arrest 40 people at London flotilla protests
“A protest organized by the ‘Global Movement for Gaza UK’ took place in Whitehall this evening,” the Met Police wrote on X/Twitter. “Forty people have been arrested. Six of those arrests were for assaults on police officers while the majority were for breaching conditions [of the Public Order Act, ‘to keep roads open and prevent serious disruption’].”
Final flotilla vessel, Marinette, intercepted
A screengrab from a live stream video shows Israeli navy forces approaching the Marinette, believed to be the only ship from the Global Sumud Flotilla still sailing towards Gaza. Flotilla organizers reported that it has now been intercepted.
Ben Gvir taunts flotilla aid volunteers calling them ‘terrorists’
Footage circulating on social media shows Israeli Security Minister Ben Gvir appearing to taunt volunteers captured by the Israeli military. Dozens of aid vessels were stopped as they approached the Gaza Strip and over 500 volunteers were detained. “These are the flotilla terrorists,” he is heard saying. “Look at them, supporters of murderers.” He said the group had left their ships “a mess.” Activists sitting on the floor chanted “Free Palestine” in return. The International Committee to Break the Siege on Gaza condemned the action, saying it showed Mr Gvir “swaggering before activists from 50 countries around the world, surrounded by his guards.”
Police and protesters clash outside Downing Street
There were clashes outside Downing Street as protesters demonstrated against the Israeli military’s detention of volunteers carrying aid to the Gaza Strip. Footage circulating on social media shows chaotic scenes at Parliament Square in London as Police appeared to push back protesters. Reports suggest that some were arrested. The Independent has contacted the Met Police for comment.
Vessel docks in Cyprus
A vessel has docked in Cyprus, the island’s government said on Friday. A spokesperson did not confirm whether the boat was part of the Gaza aid flotilla or those stopped by the Israeli military. The Marinette continued to sail, diverting its route after every other vessel was stopped by the Israeli military. Volunteers have been detained, in what organizers have called illegal “abductions.” A government spokesperson said that the ship, carrying 21 foreign nationals, asked to dock in Larnaca for refuelling and humanitarian reasons.
Detainees to be kept in high-security prison
Dozens of activists taken off a flotilla of yachts in international waters by Israeli commandos will be incarcerated at the notorious Ketziot prison in the Negev desert. Omer Shatz, an Israeli international law expert at Sciences Po University in Paris, said unlike where flotilla activists were held the last time, Ketziot was a high-security prison that did not normally hold immigration detainees.
What happens to Gaza flotilla activists detained by Israel?
Israeli forces have intercepted boats carrying aid for Gaza, thwarting the latest attempt by activists to break the Israeli blockade of the Palestinian territory and deliver supplies to its starving population. As happened after previous attempts to breach the blockade, the detained activists were taken to Israel where they faced deportation, according to Israel’s foreign ministry. Some of those on the flotilla, including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, had also been detained by Israeli authorities during previous attempts to break the blockade. In the past, activists detained by Israel were not criminally prosecuted and instead their presence was treated as an immigration matter. Adalah, a human rights organization and legal center in Israel, represented aid flotilla participants who were detained by Israel. Suhad Bishara, the organization’s legal director, told Reuters that her team was awaiting the arrival of those detained overnight in the port of Ashdod, 40km north of the Gaza Strip. She said once the flotilla crews arrived, they would be identified and transferred to the immigration authority to process them for anticipated deportation, before being moved into custody, likely in the Ketziot prison in southern Israel.
UN warns Israeli interception widens scope of unlawful blockade
The UN has commented on the Israeli interception of an aid flotilla bound for Gaza. “As the occupying power, Israel must ensure food and medical supplies for the population to the fullest extent of the means available, or to agree to and facilitate impartial humanitarian relief schemes, delivered rapidly and without hindrance,” UN spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan said in an email to Reuters. Mr Al-Kheetan called on Israel to respect the rights of detained volunteers.
Mikeno vessel may have entered Palestinian territorial waters
One of the flotilla’s vessels – the Mikeno – appeared to have got close to Gaza’s coast into the Palestinian territorial waters. However, the ship was later intercepted. “Mikeno, sailing under the French flag, may have entered Palestinian territorial waters according to AIS data, but remains out of contact,” the Global Sumud Flotilla said in a statement on Thursday.
Photos: Protests in Mexico over Israeli interception of flotilla
Reports of injuries among 14 Irish citizens detained after Gaza-bound flotilla intercepted
At least 14 Irish citizens were detained after Israel intercepted a flotilla carrying aid to Gaza, Ireland’s deputy premier has said. Simon Harris, who is also the Foreign Affairs Minister, said there may be two other citizens whose presence is still being verified. There are no reports of injuries among the Irish citizens, he said.
Read more:
At least 14 Irish citizens detained after Gaza-bound flotilla intercepted
Police use tear gas and water cannons on Gaza protest in Geneva
Police sprayed tear gas on protesters in Geneva, Switzerland as they marched in support of the Gaza flotilla, eyewitnesses told Reuters news agency, which the police confirmed. “We were retreating and suddenly got heavily gassed,” an eyewitness told Reuters, describing a burning sensation in their eyes and difficulty breathing. Israel’s interception of the flotilla sparked protests in Geneva and Bern, as well as in Italy and Colombia.
ICYMI: Moment Israeli military storms Gaza aid flotilla vessels
Watch: Greta Thunberg detained by Israeli forces after Gaza aid vessel intercepted
Mikeno vessel may have entered Palestinian territorial waters
“Mikeno, sailing under the French flag, may have entered Palestinian territorial waters according to AIS data, but remains out of contact,” the Global Sumud Flotilla said in a statement on Thursday. “Marinette, sailing under the Polish flag, is still connected via Starlink and in communication, carrying a total of 6 passengers on board.” The boat is one of one to four remaining vessels.
Israel warns final vessel will be ‘prevented’ if it continues
The Israeli foreign ministry has announced that the Global Sumud’s Flotilla “provocation is over”. None of the “provocation yachts has succeeded in its attempt to enter an active combat zone or breach the lawful naval blockade”, the Israeli foreign ministry wrote on Thursday. “All the passengers are safe and in good health. They are making their way safely to Israel, from where they will be deported to Europe.” As Marinette and Mikeno appear to continue, it warned: “One last vessel of this provocation remains at a distance. If it approaches, its attempt to enter an active combat zone and breach the blockade will also be prevented.”
Nelson Mandela’s grandson releases message following detention
Nelson Mandela’s grandson, Nkosi Zwelivelile Mandela has shared a pre-recorded message following his detention by Israeli forces after an interception of several vessels part of the Global Sumud Flotilla. “I am participating in a non-violent mission on the Global Sumud Flotilla, taking humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza,” he said in a video released on social media on Thursday. “If you are receiving this video it means I have been intercepted and abducted. I call on citizens of South Africa to call on the government for my immediate release.”
Vessel still sailing stopped miles away from Gaza
The Mikeno vessel is marked as “sailing” on the Global Sumud Flotilla tracker, located miles away from the Gaza Strip. However, it appears to have been stopped, listed as moving at a speed of 0 knots.
Israel issue warning through radio, activists claim
Israel has issued a warning to activists on board the flotilla through a radio message, according to crew members. In a video posted by member Iara Modarelli on Instagram, a voice appears to warn the group against breaching the naval blockade. The full message cannot be made out. “An active war zone…an attempt to breach the naval blockade…we will stop your vessel and act to confiscate it through legal proceedings in court. You will bear full responsibility for your actions.”
