Israeli forces have halted Gaza aid aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla as the fleet was nearing Crete. The group of civilian boats aimed to provide humanitarian aid to Gaza and challenge the Israeli blockade of aid into the region.
Israeli forces intercept Global Sumud Flotilla’s mission to Gaza
Israeli forces intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla on its mission to deliver aid to Gaza as the fleet got near Crete in Greece. They also detained the crews and participants of the flotilla.
This is the second time the Israeli forces intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla on its mission to Gaza. The first occurrence was in 2025, when the fleet also tried to ship aid to Gaza.
Moreover, the fleet set sail earlier this month from Barcelona. The fleet stopped briefly in Sicily, where it was joined by more boats and volunteers, and organisers had expected more boats to join the mission from Greece.
Israeli forces reportedly captured approximately 175 participants, and according to the flotilla real-time tracker, they seized 22 boats. The interception began around 18:47 UTC on Wednesday and continued until 02:26 UTC on Thursday.
The group, in a press release, has condemned the actions of the Israeli forces as an act of piracy.
“Israel’s actions…mark a dangerous and unprecedented escalation, the abduction of civilians in the middle of the Mediterranean, over 600 miles from Gaza, in full view of the world,” the group said in its release.
Similarly, Turkey’s Foreign Ministry also condemned the Israeli action as an act of piracy. It said Israel has violated humanitarian principles and international law.
However, Israeli reports said the navy warned the fleet to retreat before taking the boats into custody. Israel says that its action complies with international law and that the Global Sumud Flotilla’s effort was nothing but a PR stunt.
“The driving force behind the flotilla provocation is Hamas – joining hands with professional provocateurs – TO SABOTAGE President Trump’s peace plan transition to its second phase and intended to divert attention from Hamas’s refusal to disarm,” the Israeli foreign ministry said.
Humanitarian crisis to continue in Gaza after interception of aid
The Global Sumud Flotilla launched its mission following a direct call for aid from Gaza. Despite the six-month-old ceasefire in Gaza, most Palestinians lack essential materials such as food and medical supplies.
Moreover, around two million Gaza citizens are still living in ruins. The only aid getting into the region is through a single Israeli-controlled border post.
After the interception of aid to the region, the Global Sumud Flotilla organisers have urged governments worldwide to take action. The flotilla was estimated to be about 600 nautical miles from Gaza when it was intercepted.