Israel intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla, which had set sail to deliver humanitarian aid to the Palestinian population in Gaza, detaining dozens of activists, including internationally renowned Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg.
The Greek ship “Oxygono,” part of the mission, was stopped by Israeli forces, with passengers transferred to an Israeli port without injuries or damage, according to the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Israel stated that the operation was intended to enforce the legal naval blockade around Gaza and that warnings had been issued to the ships to change course. According to authorities, several of the flotilla vessels were safely immobilized, while footage released by Israel shows Thunberg receiving water and a jacket from Israeli soldiers. However, Anadolu Agency reported attacks on at least 16 ships.
The Greek mission denounced the interception as illegal and a violation of international maritime law. In a statement, March to Gaza Greece, part of the international flotilla, emphasized that the “Oxygono” was intercepted in international waters and highlighted the Greek government’s responsibility to ensure the crews’ safety. The organization accused Israel of impunity and military escalation, calling for immediate international intervention to end the blockade and military pressure on the Palestinian population.
The flotilla and international solidarity organizations demand the immediate release of all passengers, the return of the ships and their cargo, and an immediate halt to any military or economic cooperation with Israel that legitimizes violence and oppression. In Greece, protests and a march to the Israeli embassy have been organized to exert political pressure and demonstrate societal support for peaceful humanitarian missions.
This incident underscores the growing tensions in the Middle East, the escalation of military operations around Gaza, and the confrontations between activist missions and Israeli authorities, highlighting the urgent need for international action and the maintenance of humanitarian channels to protect civilians in the region.
