As expected Israeli Navy forces boarded on ships of the international Global Sumud Flotilla headed to Gaza and among them the Greek owned ship “Oxygen” which was part of the mission. The vessel, carrying humanitarian aid and activists, was intercepted while sailing toward the coastline of the Palestinian enclave.
According to the mission, a total of 19 out of the 44 ships in the flotilla have been intercepted by Israeli forces, who instructed those on board to immediately change course and unload their cargo at an Israeli port. Meanwhile, dozens of other vessels are continuing their journey, approaching Gaza despite repeated interventions.
Watch the video of the Israeli army’s boarding of the Greek “Oxygen”:
Israeli forces stopped 13 boats from the Global Sumud Flotilla carrying aid and activists, including Greta Thunberg, while 30 boats continue toward Gaza.
In a social media post, the activists on board the Greek ship “Oxygen” wrote:
“The ship Oxygen has been intercepted by Israeli forces in an act of international piracy and in violation of International Law and the Law of the Sea. Our comrades are currently being kidnapped and taken to an unknown location against their will. We demand that the Greek government ensure their immediate and safe return to the country.”
Earlier, Peti Perka, a Member of Parliament for the New Left party who was aboard “Oxygen,” posted a video on Instagram saying that Israeli warships had appeared:
“For a moment, we believed — we wanted to believe — that tomorrow at noon we would be in Gaza and hug those children waiting for us. Unfortunately, as expected, 4 miles ahead of the first ships, Israeli warships appeared. So we’re waiting for them to come to us.”
Another Greek vessel, “Pavlos Fyssas,” is also participating in the international humanitarian mission to Gaza and continues to sail.
In a post on platform X, the Global Sumud Flotilla stated earlier:
“30 ships are still sailing toward Gaza, just 46 nautical miles away, despite continuous attacks from the Israeli navy.”
EMERGENCY ALERT ❗❗❗❗❗#GlobalSumudFilotilla BOAT, MALI, INTERCEPTED IN INTERNATIONAL WATERS LESS THAN 60 KILOMETERS FROM THE #GAZA COAST. ALMOST 40 SHIPS ARE STILL ON COURSE TO GAZA. SOME LESS THAN 50 KILOMETERS AWAY FROM THE COASTLINE!!!#GlobalSumudFlottilla#Gaza
According to fleet spokesperson Saif Abukeshek, speaking to Agence France-Presse, Israeli forces had already intercepted 13 ships with around 200 people on board, many from Spain and Italy.
In an Instagram video, Abukeshek emphasized:
“Our mission continues.”
He added that the ships still underway are “determined, motivated, and doing everything they can to break the blockade since early morning.”
The ship carrying Greta Thunberg was intercepted
Among the ships that were intercepted was the one carrying Greta Thunberg, who, according to Israeli authorities, is among those detained.
Israel confirmed the information through the Foreign Ministry, which stated that it had stopped “several ships” without causing damage.
“Their passengers are being taken to an Israeli port,” the ministry posted on X, adding: “Greta and her friends are safe and unharmed.”
In a statement, Global Sumud Flotilla described the incident as an “illegal attack on unarmed humanitarians.” The organization said that the remaining vessels were about 70 nautical miles from Gaza and planned to “continue undeterred.”
Meanwhile, Rima Hassan, a French MEP of Palestinian origin who was aboard one of the flotilla’s ships intercepted by Israeli forces before reaching Gaza, accused Israel of “illegal” and “arbitrary” arrests of hundreds of mission members.
“Hundreds of civilians, humanitarian workers, and peaceful activists aboard the Global Sumud fleet have been arrested and are being arbitrarily detained by Israel,” Hassan said in a post on X, calling on the authorities to demand their immediate release.
She had begun reporting on the interception via Instagram after seeing Israeli forces board a vessel in the flotilla, before throwing her phone into the sea when the boarding of her own vessel began.
Both French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot and Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani confirmed that Israeli forces boarded the ships.
According to the Italian minister, the activists detained in Ashdod “are expected to board aircraft and return to Europe within two days.” The French minister stated that the flotilla’s ships “are being intercepted, Israeli forces are boarding them,” and called on Israeli authorities to ensure the safety of all participants.
“They’re already coming for us. Two dozen ships are waiting,” said José Luis Imbote in a video posted on social media. Two other passengers in the flotilla, including Spanish MP Juan Bordera from the Compromís party, confirmed that unidentified vessels were approaching the flotilla.
