Istanbul, 02 Oct, 2025, Anadolu News

In a major maritime intervention, Israeli naval forces attacked and seized the Global Sumud Flotilla, a convoy of civilian vessels carrying humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. The operation, which took place on October 1st, resulted in the detention of at least 443 activists from 47 countries, sparking immediate condemnation and a wave of protests across European capitals.

According to organizers from the International Committee to Break the Siege on Gaza (ICBSG), Israeli forces attacked and seized 22 ships and are believed to have targeted 19 others. The Global Sumud Flotilla committee stated that activists were forcibly removed from their vessels, an act they condemned as an "unlawful abduction." The detained individuals, who include citizens from Spain, Italy, Brazil, Turkey, Greece, the United States, Germany, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and France, were reportedly transferred to the port of Ashdod in southern Israel for subsequent deportation.

The flotilla, which set sail in late August, represented the largest coordinated civilian effort in years to challenge the Israeli blockade of Gaza. It was carrying primarily medical and humanitarian supplies destined for the besieged enclave. Activists aboard the ships reported that Israeli naval vessels surrounded the convoy as it was less than 80 nautical miles from Gaza, employing signal jamming and cutting communications. The ICBSG accused Israeli forces of using violence during the interception, including ramming one ship, deploying water cannons, and forcibly boarding vessels while "brutally mistreating peaceful detainees."

The Israeli government confirmed the operation, with its public broadcaster KAN reporting that naval forces seized 41 vessels in a 12-hour operation. The Israeli Foreign Ministry stated that all intercepted vessels were being towed to Ashdod and vowed to prevent the one remaining ship, the Marinet, from reaching Gaza. This military action occurred despite prior appeals from international organizations, including Amnesty International and the United Nations, which had warned that any attack on the civilian aid convoy would be "unacceptable."

Protests Sweep Europe in Response

The seizure of the flotilla triggered tens of thousands of people to take to the streets in cities across Europe, demanding the release of the detainees and condemning Israel's ongoing blockade of Gaza.

• Spain: The response was particularly fervent, with solidarity rallies held in 24 cities. In Madrid, thousands gathered outside the Foreign Ministry, chanting "Boycott Israel" and "Stop the genocide," while in Barcelona, demonstrations occurred at the port of departure and the Israeli consulate. The Spanish government escalated its diplomatic efforts, with Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares engaging in "telephone diplomacy" with counterparts from Turkey, Belgium, Ireland, and the EU to forge a united stance. Significantly, Spain’s Public Prosecutor’s Office announced it was expanding its ongoing investigation into alleged Israeli crimes in Gaza to include the flotilla interception.
• United Kingdom: Hundreds of protesters gathered in London's Parliament Square for an "emergency rally" before marching toward government offices in Whitehall. The demonstration, marked by chants of "Free Palestine," caused significant traffic disruption and led to confrontations with police, who blocked the crowd from advancing to Trafalgar Square and made several arrests.
• Greece: Thousands marched in Athens towards the Israeli Embassy, demanding the release of 27 Greek nationals detained in the operation. Parallel protests were reported in Thessaloniki, Patras, and other cities, with organizers condemning Israel for violating international law.
• France, Belgium, and Switzerland: In Paris, crowds filled the Place de la Republique, while in Brussels, protesters marched from the Foreign Ministry to the European Parliament under the banner "All eyes on Gaza." In Geneva, thousands demonstrated in Lisa Girardin Square, calling for an end to the blockade and the unhindered delivery of aid.

Context of the Blockade and Broader Conflict

The flotilla's mission was a direct challenge to the near-total blockade Israel has imposed on Gaza for nearly 18 years—a policy that has been severely tightened since March, closing border crossings and blocking critical supplies, thereby pushing the enclave into famine. The humanitarian situation in Gaza has been described by the UN and human rights groups as catastrophic and uninhabitable, exacerbated by an Israeli military offensive that has, since October 2023, resulted in the deaths of over 66,200 Palestinians, the majority of whom are women and children.

The international outcry following the flotilla's interception underscores the growing global pressure on Israel to lift its siege and allow unfettered humanitarian access to Gaza, as the civilian toll continues to mount.

Israeli authorities on Thursday began to hold deportation hearings for activists detained from an international aid flotilla headed to the blockaded Gaza Strip, an Israeli legal center said.

In a statement, Adalah, the first Palestinian Arab-run legal center in Israel, said it had received calls from participants reporting that immigration officials had initiated hearings on their detention and deportation orders at the Port of Ashdod, shortly after Israeli naval forces attacked dozens of flotilla ships late Wednesday and early Thursday.

“These proceedings were initiated without prior notice to their lawyers and while denying participants access to legal counsel,” Adalah said.

It called the steps “a grave violation of due process and a denial of the participants’ fundamental rights,” saying that it would continue efforts to secure legal access and pursue legal action if necessary.

Adalah later said that its legal team managed to enter the port to meet the detained activists after they were initially denied access by Israeli authorities.