Israel said on Thursday it intercepted more than 20 aid ships carrying 175 activists that were en route to the Gaza Strip, stopping them in international waters near Greece.
The mission, organized by Global Sumud Flotilla, follows a similar effort last year when around 45 boats were intercepted. Palestinians and international aid organizations have said that the supplies reaching Gaza are insufficient to meet the enclave’s humanitarian needs.
What do we know about the Gaza flotilla interception?
According to Global Sumud Flotilla, Israeli military vessels seized 15 ships near Crete, hundreds of miles from Gaza. The group said military speedboats, identifying themselves as Israeli, approached with lasers and semi-automatic assault weapons, ordering participants to the fronts of the boats and to kneel. The organization described the action as “piracy” and “the unlawful seizure of human beings on the open sea,” saying it demonstrated Israel’s ability to operate beyond its borders without consequences.
Israel’s UN envoy Danny Danon said the flotilla “was stopped before reaching our area,” and dismissed those aboard as “attention-seeking agitators.” Organizers said the spring mission involved more than 50 boats, the largest coordinated civilian maritime action for the Palestinian territories to date.
Why was the international flotilla heading to Gaza?
Last year’s Freedom Flotilla missions represented the most ambitious maritime attempts to reach Gaza; participants were arrested and later expelled by Israel. Observers have noted that while the goods brought by such flotillas may not meet Gaza’s needs, the voyages draw international attention to conditions in the territory, said Nathan Brown, professor of political science and international affairs at George Washington University.
Israel imposed a naval blockade on Gaza in 2007 after Hamas took control of the territory, saying the measures are necessary to prevent the militant group from importing arms. Human rights organizations and NGOs, however, view the blockade as collective punishment, which they argue is illegal under international law.
Gaza’s humanitarian crisis has worsened since the Israel–Hamas war that began after Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023. Although a ceasefire was declared on October 25, Israeli strikes have continued to cause large numbers of Palestinian casualties. UN officials and others have accused Israel of committing war crimes, including ethnic cleansing and deliberate starvation; some have warned of possible genocide and famine. The Gaza Health Ministry reports more than 72,000 Palestinians killed since October 2023, including at least 21,000 children.
Edited by: Alex Berry