Israel to Deport Gaza Aid Flotilla Activists, Including Greta Thunberg
Israel has announced it will deport pro-Palestinian activists attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg.
The move comes after the Israeli navy intercepted multiple vessels in the Mediterranean.
The flotilla, known as the Global Sumud Flotilla, set sail last month with around 45 ships, carrying aid to Gaza, a region the United Nations has warned is on the brink of famine.
Politicians and activists on board sought to challenge Israel’s blockade of the Palestinian enclave. Some vessels, like the Mikeno, even attempted to reach Gaza despite the Israeli blockade.
The flotilla, known as the Global Sumud Flotilla, set sail last month with around 45 ships, carrying aid to Gaza, a region the United Nations has warned is on the brink of famine.
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Politicians and activists on board sought to challenge Israel’s blockade of the Palestinian enclave.
The navy began intercepting vessels on Wednesday, warning crews that the waters they were entering fall under Israel’s declared maritime blockade. Thunberg’s vessel was among those stopped.
By Thursday, more than 30 of the flotilla’s ships had been intercepted or were assumed to have been, according to the organisers’ tracking system.
“Hamas-Sumud passengers on their yachts are making their way safely and peacefully to Israel, where their deportation procedures to Europe will begin.
The passengers are safe and in good health,” Israel’s foreign ministry posted on social media, including images of Thunberg and other activists aboard a boat.
Flotilla spokesperson Saif Abukeshek said the vessels still at sea were determined to continue.
“They are motivated, and they are doing everything within their power to be able to break the siege by this early morning,” he said.
The flotilla organisers condemned the interceptions as “illegal,” insisting their ships were travelling through international waters.
“Beyond the confirmed interceptions, live streams and communications with several other vessels have been lost,” the statement added.
Piracy Allegations
Israel’s foreign ministry confirmed that the intercepted activists were being transferred to an Israeli port, sharing footage of Thunberg retrieving her belongings. “Greta and her friends are safe and healthy,” they said.
Hamas, whose October 2023 attack on Israel triggered the ongoing conflict in Gaza, denounced the interception as a “crime of piracy and maritime terrorism.”
Global solidarity for Palestinians has grown as the war continues, with activists and governments increasingly criticising Israel’s measures.
Spain and Italy, which had stationed nonmilitary escorts to guard their citizens on the procession, prompted the activists not to enter Israel’s rejection zone off Gaza, advising they would be stopped.
The flotilla had paused in Tunisia for ten days, reporting two drone attacks, before resuming its journey on September 15.
Ships such as the Alma and Sirius reported being “aggressively circled” or harassed by Israeli warships.
Facing Intimidation
Despite the military presence, the flotilla vowed to continue. Organisers described the Israeli tactics as “intimidation” but insisted they would deliver aid to Gaza.
In Italy, protests erupted in support of the flotilla. In Rome, hundreds rallied, while in Naples, demonstrators briefly blocked the main train station.
Unions have called another strike on Friday, urging the government to adopt a firmer stance against Israel’s actions in Gaza.
International responses have been strong. Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced plans to expel Israeli diplomats, while Turkey condemned the interception as “an act of terrorism that constitutes the most serious violation of international law and endangers the lives of innocent civilians.”
Spain and Italy, meanwhile, had requested the flotilla halt before entering Israeli-controlled waters. Activists labelled these warnings as attempts to “sabotage” their mission.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said the activists posed no trouble and prompted Israel not to treat them similarly.
Spain also summoned Israel’s top representative in Madrid, noting that 65 Spanish citizens were on board. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni advised that the passage could disrupt ongoing peace negotiations.
This recent development marks another tense chapter in the struggle over Gaza’s fate and highlights the increasingly complex transnational response to the philanthropic extremity there.
